New Mission, New Format
Welcome to the new format of the Reorganization Updates. In phase two our focus shifts to implementation. A number of districts are nearing completion of their reorganization plans and others are still moving toward solutions that work for them locally. In addition to continued legislative and other updates, we will bring you informational articles written by superintendents and others in the field about the work they have been doing and tools or approaches they have found successful (or unsuccessful). We’ve also asked some of our facilitators to share hands-on tools with you, such as the cost-sharing factors developed by a working group of facilitators, and soon-to-come updates on tools to help consolidating units look at how to merge educational philosophies and create new educational opportunities.
We hope you find the new format useful, and we welcome your suggestions for articles that would help you with your work locally as you prepare to reorganize. Please contact us at communications.doe@maine.gov.
Consolidation from the perspective of RSU #1
By Superintendent William Shuttleworth
William Shuttleworth talks about the challenges and successes in the effort to create the first reorganized school system in the state. (more….)
School Consolidation Communications
By Superintendent Richard A. Abramson
How three school units joined forces to create an informational newsletter to explain the reorganization process to their residents. (more….)
March 28 Deadline: Options
Some RPCs will be allowed to file a letter in place of a formal reorganization plan order to meet the deadline requirements. (more….)
Legislative Update
LD 1932 awaits its next move in the Senate after a Committee of Conference compromised on the bill. The bill still includes allowances for the school union structures, which are opposed by the Department and Governor Baldacci. (more….)
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Message from the Commissioner
 Susan A. Gendron
Through the many challenges we are all facing in the current phase of the reorganization implementation process, excellent work is being done by school systems all around the state. And those efforts are beginning to pay off.
The purpose of this revised newsletter format is not just to be cheerleaders for the positive work going on in the field. We will use these virtual pages also to share information about challenges, and even more importantly, potential solutions. That said, we’re very pleased with some of the great progress being made and here are some of the activities of note. (more….)
Q&A
Question: The Legislature is considering a bill that would delay the requirement for a budget validation referendum this year – should our school unit go through with the requirement, or wait to see what the Legislature does? (Q&A)
Question: As the law now stands, will the funding for programs in local schools be determined solely by a regional school board? (Q&A)
Reorganization Team Contacts
Melissa Padgett, Administrative Assistant
Jennifer Pooler, Coordinator
Ray Poulin, Project Manager
Norm Higgins, Project Manager
All four can be reached at 624-6802.
Jim Rier, Director of School Finance
624-6794
David Connerty-Marin, Director of Communications
624-6880 |
