Getting Restarted: Resources for RPCs and School Systems Working to Reorganize

With the passage of LD 2323 by the Legislature earlier this month, reorganization planning committees that understandably slowed down their activities can re-start their work.

There are numerous resources available to RPCs as they continue, or start for the first time, on their work. These include: continually updated resources such as models for system administration, suggestions on how to achieve savings in other areas, how to design a cost-sharing agreement that works for your communities, applying for a facilities analysis paid for by the Department. For those just starting out: how to form an RPC, how to get miscellaneous funds for the RPC work, getting a Department-paid facilitator to help with the process, and reimbursement for legal costs. (more…)

New on the Reorganization Website

As a result of changes to the reorganization law found in LD 2323, passed by the Legislature on April 18, the Department has worked quickly to revise the reorganization website to reflect changes to the law.  We have taken down several of the questions and answers and will move quickly to post new ones relevant to the changes. A new summary of the law will appear this week.

We especially encourage you to visit the Planning and Resources page where we have added new resources and rearranged the page to make it easier to find what you need.

Budget Validation Referendum Guidelines for SADs and CSDs

Because of technical errors in the original reorganization law, and changes to the law passed April 18 that won’t go into effect until July 18, there has been some confusion over the process that SADs and CSDs should follow for this year’s budget process.

Read Administrative Letter #38 with guidance on this issue sent to superintendents earlier this week.

After the Plan: Transition Costs and RSU Development

Jake Clockedile, facilitator and former superintendent and busniess manager, provides a framework to begin planning for the transition to a new RSU, including a look at the interim process and the role of existing school boards in preparing for the next step. (more…)

Technology Tip No. 1: Financial
Allen Curtis, reorganization facilitator and technology director in MSAD 49 (Clinton), offers the first in a series of technology tips to help school systems merge technology.  The focus in Tip No. 1 is financial and human resource software. (more…)

Catching Up

This is the fourth issue of the revamped Reorganization Update with a focus on implementation – moving forward with reorganization.  In case you missed them, we’ve run several articles written by superintendents and facilitators from the field on helpful topics.  Here’s a quick snapshot:

March 24

• Consolidation from the perspective of RSU #1
  Superintendent William Shuttleworth talks about the challenges and successes in the effort to create the first reorganized school system in the state.
• School Consolidation Communications
  Superintendent Richard A. Abramson on how three school units joined forces to create an informational newsletter to explain the reorganization process to their residents.

April 10

• Talking About Education: Planning for Quality Learning in New RSUs
  Mary Jane McCalmon, former superintendent and current facilitator, on helping consolidating school units merge curriculum and educational opportunities.
• Merging Technology in Prospective RSUs
  Allen Curtis, technology director from MSAD 49 and a facilitator with the Department, talks about technology guidelines to help merging school districts.

April 18

• Legislature passes LD 2323

What are “alternative organizational structures”?

Changes to the reorganization law passed in LD 2323 earlier this month do not allow for school unions, but do provide an option for school units coming together to propose an “alternative organizational structure” that could provide some additional flexibility for local schools. (more…)

Q&A

Question: Are SADs and CSDs supposed to prepare budgets this year with six or 11 cost centers? And how many days between the budget meeting and the referendum on the budget – 10 or 14? (Q&A)

Question: Can towns now own their own school buildings even if they join an RSU? (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