[Local-Maine-Schools] To Falmouth and SAD 51: Please join us in support of LD 1932 as amended

[Brian Hubbell]

From: Brian Hubbell <sparkflashgap at gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Apr 4, 2008 at 1:40 PM
Subject: Please join us in support of LD 1932 as amended

To the Regional Planning Committee of Falmouth and MSAD51,

After reading your letter to the Legislators below, I want to let you know
that the members of Mount Desert Island's RPC to a great extent empathize
with your concerns about the prospects of LD 1932.

As a point of fact, it was actually the MDI RPC that submitted the first
complete reorganization plan.  MDI submitted its plan last December.  Like
yours, our plan was based on the specific needs of our schools and
communities.  And, like yours, our plan was ruled not to be in compliance
with the current law.

Like you, we are expecting LD 1932 to provide us the relief we need to
reorganize and return to our main responsibilities of cooperatively
overseeing the operations of the best school systems possible for our
communities. Like you, we are wearied and frustrated by this year-long
distraction.  And, like you, we nevertheless hope to make the best of
opportunities as they present.

Without LD 1932 as currently amended by the legislature, the members of our
proposed RSU -- four mainland towns and three outer islands, each with
significantly differing property valuations and student populations -- will
find that reorganization shifts costs beyond the limits that voters can
accept, or even be reasonably asked to accept.

Unlike you, as minimum receivers our schools are supported almost entirely
though local property tax, a fact which makes the importance of latitude in
cost-sharing even more acute.  As a result, without the option of operating
as a Regional School Union as LD 1932 currently allows, our taxpayers will
be denied the same opportunities for centralized regional efficiency that
your districts are presently anticipating.

If the Governor does veto LD 1932 and leave us without that option, our
schools which are, like yours, among the best in the state, will suffer no
less than yours.

As there is nothing in LD 1932 as currently amended that keeps you from
reorganizing as you have planned, please join us both in supporting this
vehicle and in hoping that it carries on both the legislative and executive
side so we can all get back to the important and difficult business of
running the best schools we possibly can given the limited resources we all
have available.

Best wishes,

Brian Hubbell,
Bar Harbor School Committee
Mount Desert Island RPC,
MDIschools.net <http://mdischools.net/>

----------------------------------------------------
From: Pooler, Jennifer [mailto:Jennifer.Pooler at maine.gov]
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 10:29 AM
Subject: FYI - Reorg

April 1, 2008

Dear Legislative Leaders:

The Regional Planning Committee (RPC) of Falmouth and MSAD51 (Cumberland and
North Yarmouth) consolidation plan has been accepted by the Commissioner.
 We are the only RPC in the state to submit a plan to date.  Approval hinges
on flexibility being given to our communities to modify the cost sharing
formula to create an equitable sharing of costs based on student enrollment
and we are looking to our legislators to give us that flexibility.
 Otherwise all bets are off.  Thus far, politics has taken over and a very
convoluted LD1932 has passed both houses with the possibility of a veto by
the Governor.

Our RPC reconvened last night (March 31, 2008) frustrated with the lack of
leadership and resolve in Augusta. LD1932 is riddled with amendments
completely gutting the original intent of consolidation. Our plan calls for
a referendum on the June ballot, but seeing no support from Augusta the wind
has left our sails.  We need wind.  We're now thinking of postponing the
vote until November but only if we have the ability to change the cost
sharing formula based on student enrollment. We are asking that you, as
legislative leaders do exactly that, lead.  Return to the original intent of
the consolidation legislation, give communities cost sharing flexibility and
allow us the opportunity to consolidate as our plan specifies.  We truly
believe in the educational opportunities for our students and we also
believe that consolidating our districts would slow the trajectory of school
costs.  We need your support.  We expect your support.

Thanks very much for your attention.

Sincerely,

Beppie Cerf
Regional Planning Committee, Chair
Falmouth, Cumberland, and North Yarmouth

Committee Members:



Falmouth                                                Cumberland
Beppie Cerf (school board)                              Susan Campbell
(school board)
Kathy Hillman Reed (school board)                       Shirley Storey King
(town council)
Joe Wrobleski (town council)                            George Turner (town
council)
Peggy McGehee (community member)                Mark Fortin (community
member)

North Yarmouth
Dave Perkins (school board)
Anne Graham (selectman)
Linc Merrill (community member)

Superintendents
George Entwistle (Falmouth)
Bob Hasson (MSAD51)
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