[Local-Maine-Schools] Nov. 14 public hearing of MDI RPC

[Brian Hubbell]

To: the Local Maine School list
From: Brian Hubbell
Re: Public Hearing on school reorganization plan
Date: November 7, 2007

All,

Please plan to attend this important public hearing on the work of the
Mount Desert Island schools' Regional Planning Committee on Wednesday,
November 14, 2007, 7:00PM, at the auditorium of the Mount Desert
Island High School.

This will be a chance for all those connected with our local schools
-- concerned citizens, parents, taxpayers, and school employees -- to
learn about and respond to the ongoing work of the MDI RPC as it
develops a school reorganization plan in response to last June's
legislation.

More information about the RPC's work can be found at:
http://mdischools.net/RPC.html

...and in the article below from last week's Mount Desert Islander

----------------------------------------------------------------------

School forum set
Written by Becky Buyers-Basso
Friday, November 02, 2007
http://mdislander.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4234

BAR HARBOR — The public will have a chance to hear and comment on a
school consolidation plan drafted by Mount Desert Island's Regional
Planning Committee (RPC) on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. in the high
school auditorium.

"The committee feels that the time has come for the public to weigh in
on the aspects of the plan that have been developed thus far," said
Union 98 superintendent Rob Liebow.

The RPC has been meeting since last July to deal with school district
consolidation issues and the potential reorganization into a new
Regional School Unit (RSU), and has been working on aspects of a plan
to submit to the State Department of Education (DOE) by a Dec. 1
deadline.

"The forum will be the first time since the state passed the law that
we've met with the public," said RPC chairman Gail Marshall. "We need
to tell people what we've been doing and hear from them what their big
issues are, whether it's retaining local control or working together
more to share educational services."

The plan is not likely to be completed by December, Ms. Marshall said,
as many basic questions remain, including which municipalities choose
to join the RSU. However, the committee has explored the thorny issues
surrounding school governance, administration and budget questions.

During the committee's biweekly meetings, RPC members have discussed
the ramifications of two different governance models.

The committee also has discussed and voted on recommendations for the
composition of an RSU board, how members would be elected, what weight
their votes would have, and how far their responsibilities would
extend.

Still up for discussion are the powers and duties of RSU board members
and local school committees and the high school funding formula, Mr.
Liebow said.

At next Wednesday's forum, he will give a presentation and then give
members of the public the opportunity respond, ask questions and help
shape future RPC discussions.

Ms. Marshall said state legislators Sen. Dennis Damon from District
28, Rep. Hannah Pingree from District 36 and Rep. Ted Koffman from
District 35 have been invited to the forum and she hopes they will
attend.

"We need to take a long-term view of these issues," said Ms. Marshall.