From: <b class="gmail_sendername">Brian Hubbell</b> <<a href="mailto:sparkflashgap@gmail.com">sparkflashgap@gmail.com</a>><br><div class="gmail_quote">Date: Fri, Apr 4, 2008 at 1:40 PM<br>Subject: Please join us in support of LD 1932 as amended<br>
<br>To the Regional Planning Committee of Falmouth and MSAD51,<br><br>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.<br>
<br>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.<br>
<br>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.<br>
<br>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.<br>
<br>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.<br>
<br>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. <br><br>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.<br>
<br>Best wishes,<br><br>Brian Hubbell,<br>Bar Harbor School Committee<br>Mount Desert Island RPC,<br><a href="http://mdischools.net/" target="_blank">MDIschools.net</a><br><br>----------------------------------------------------<br>
From: Pooler, Jennifer [mailto:<a href="mailto:Jennifer.Pooler@maine.gov" target="_blank">Jennifer.Pooler@maine.gov</a>]<br>
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 10:29 AM<br>Subject: FYI - Reorg<br><br>April 1, 2008<br><br>Dear Legislative Leaders:<br><br>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.<br>
<br>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.<br>
<br>Thanks very much for your attention.<br><br>Sincerely,<br><br>Beppie Cerf<br>Regional Planning Committee, Chair<br>Falmouth, Cumberland, and North Yarmouth<br><br>Committee Members:<br><br><br><br>Falmouth Cumberland<br>
Beppie Cerf (school board) Susan Campbell (school board)<br>Kathy Hillman Reed (school board) Shirley Storey King (town council)<br>Joe Wrobleski (town council) George Turner (town council)<br>
Peggy McGehee (community member) Mark Fortin (community member)<br><br>North Yarmouth<br>Dave Perkins (school board)<br>Anne Graham (selectman)<br>Linc Merrill (community member)<br><br>Superintendents<br>
George Entwistle (Falmouth)<br>
Bob Hasson (MSAD51)<br>
</div><br>