Staff Writer
AUGUSTA – It’s back to the drawing board for many superintendents in central Aroostook County.
After filing one or more Notices of Intent regarding school administrative reorganization or alternative plans, Education Commissioner Susan A. Gendron has determined that a number of plans submitted for central Aroostook do not comply with the Reorganization Law. In letters to SAD 1 (Presque Isle, Mapleton, Westfield, Chapman and Castle Hill), SAD 32 (Ashland, Oxbow, Portage, Garfield and Masardis), and the Bridgewater and Easton school departments, Gendron said the reason the Notices of Intent do not comply with the requirements of the Reorganization Law is that the “proposed regional school unit(s) does not meet the minimum resident student enrollment of at least 2,500.”
“I am recommending continued exploration within the region to achieve the most effective and sustainable partnerships for the region,” wrote Gendron. “The Department will work collaboratively with districts and facilitators to overcome the barriers and come to solutions that are agreeable for everyone.
“We will provide detailed fiscal and data analysis to assist in solidifying long-term relationships for reorganization partners,” she wrote. “I am very appreciative of the work you have done to date.”
SAD 45’s (Washburn, Wade and Perham) Notice of Intent does not comply because it “was not reciprocated by all or some units listed.”
Two districts in central Aroostook – SAD 20 (Fort Fairfield) and SAD 42 (Mars Hill and Blaine) – did receive thumbs up from Gendron.
In letters to the respective superintendents, Gendron “determined that it [Notices of Intent] does comply with the requirements of the Reorganization Law.”
“I wish you continued success as you proceed with your work on your Reorganization Plan, and invite you to please contact my office if we can assist you with that next step,” Gendron wrote.
At a Sept. 13 press conference, Gendron and Gov. John E. Baldacci gave an update on the reorganization process.
“At the end of August, school districts were required to file notices of their plans to reduce administration and to partner with neighboring districts,” Baldacci said. “We are confident from those notices that we will reduce the number of school administrative units [from 290] to fewer than 80, as required by law.”
Gendron estimated there would be about 75 school administrative units when administrative reorganization is complete.
Recognizing there is talk about grassroots efforts to repeal the school reorganization law, Baldacci said he is dead-set against any such action.
“I will vigorously oppose any effort to repeal this law or to lessen the penalties for districts that don’t comply,” he said. “We must move forward. This plan passed with overwhelming and bipartisan support from the Legislature, and I will make sure it stays the law.”
The purpose of the School Administrative Reorganization law is to ensure that schools be organized as units in order to provide equitable educational opportunities, rigorous academic programs, uniformity in delivering programs, a greater uniformity in tax rates, more efficient and effective use of limited resources, preservation of school choice, and maximum opportunity to deliver services in an efficient manner.
For those school administrative units that complied with the law and reorganized into Regional School Units with at least 2,500 students, or in special geographic isolation cases 1,200 students, the next step is to begin creating a school management plan that will be brought to their region’s voters in January. The RSUs must submit their reorganization management plans to the department by Dec. 1.
The department will work with districts that failed to comply with the Reorganization Law and even provide facilitators to help them meet the requirements of the law.
More details of the Reorganization Law and planning and resources information can be found online at www.maine.gov/education (click on the School Administrative Reorganization logo).
