Second RSU is a First

Five communities in four school districts became the second voter-approved RSU in the state last month. But they were also a first. While RSU #1 in Bath, West Bath and surrounding communities became a new school unit first, the new KIDS RSU is the first to be approved by voters under the School Administrative Reorganization Law passed in June 2007.  The Kennebec Intra-District Schools RSU is comprised of Hallowell and Farmingdale (MSAD 16), Richmond, Monmouth, and Dresden.

Voters in the five communities overwhelmingly supported the reorganization, with 79 percent voting in favor at the June 10 referendum. (more…)

Facilities Analysis for Proposed RSUs

When two or more school units come together, looking at their combined facilities can help to identify needs for space, maintenance, future construction, and ways to save money.  Michael McCormick, principal at M E McCormick Management Consultants of Dexter, writes about the free facilities analysis (paid for by the Department of Education) his group is conducting for RPCs that request it.

Some of the things they look at: allocation of space to Maine standards for learning environments; condition and appropriateness of space; student demographics; cost of annual maintenance and operations; cost of deferred work; cost of future capital renewals; and current and possible future debt service. (more…)

On the Web

New on the Planning and Resources page: Sample Communications Document - a template for RPCs to customize with specific information from their reorganization plan to be shared with voters prior to referendum.

New on the Plans and Responses page: Updated summary of all plans to date, showing 32 alternative plans, six reorganization plans.

The Tally

Alternative plans approved so far: 32
Reorganization plans approved so far: 6
Of those, number approved by voters so far: 2
Expected date for most reorganization plan referendum votes: November 4, 2009
Latest date for referendum votes on reorganization plans: January 30, 2009
Number of students in communities with Department-approved alternative or reorganization plans: 87,468 (44.21%)
Number of school units so far with an approved plan: 50 out of 290

Commissioner Gendron approved several more alternative plans and one more reorganization plan in recent weeks, bringing the total to 32 approved alternative plans and six reorganization plans. Two of the reorganization plans have been approved by voters; one was rejected; and three still to go to voters. (more…)

Q&A

Q: Can a municipality withdraw from an SAD or CSD in order to join a different RSU than the rest of the SAD or CSD plans to join? (Q&A)

Q: Does an alternative organizational structure board of directors have to be an elected 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