Talking About Education: Planning for Quality Learning in New RSUs

What happens educationally when two or three school units come together as a single entity? Each unit has its own academic strengths and shortfalls. Values, vision and beliefs may be similar, but not the same. The curriculum and educational opportunities for students in each unit are not the same.

Former Superintendent Mary Jane McCalmon writes about the work being done by a group of independent facilitators to take on these questions.

Merging Technology in Prospective RSUs

Technology is a key factor in the development of regional school units (RSUs). Seeing a real need in this area, Allen Curtis, technology director from MSAD 49 and a facilitator with the Department, was asked to convene a group of technology people to develop some guidance for prospective RSUs in the area of technology.   In this report, Curtis talks about how the group developed its technology guidelines document. With a link to the document.

On the Ground: Implementation Status Report

The Department has received 21 updated alternative plans, eight updated reorganization plans, and 49 letters updating us on progress to meet the Mach 28 deadline for progress reports.

In the News

Recent articles on the need for a cost-sharing fix for RSUs to move forward with implementation

Legislative Update

Things are moving quickly in the Legislature this week as three separate bills related to school administrative reorganization are in play, making any update old news by the time it is published. Nonetheless, here’s an update on activity in the House and Senate over the past few days. This is as of Thursday afternoon. (more….)

Q&A

Question: When will the Department respond to the March 28 submissions? (Q&A)

Question:  When will school units or groups of units that requested a change in their configuration receive a response? (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