Planning
Timelines for Referendum Votes
Timelines leading up to referendum voting dates are available to allow regional planning committees adequate time to meet all deadlines related to making their target referendum dates.
June 10, 2008 referendum timeline
November 4, 2008 referendum timeline
January 30, 2009 referendum timeline
Notice of Intent
A Notice of Intent should be submitted by School Administrative Units to inform the Commissioner of their plans to file a Reorganization Plan to reorganize with other units, a Reorganization Plan for Alternative Organizational Structure with other units, or an Alternative Plan.
Notice of Intent Form
RTF or PDF
Filing Reorganization Plan for Alternative Organizational Structure
RPCs and SAUs filing a reorganization plan for an alternative organizational structure should include the following forms (submittal and cover/checklist) with the submission of their plans.
- Reorganization Plan (AOS) Submittal Sheet
RTF or PDF
- Reorganization Plan (AOS) Cover (Checklist) Sheet
RTF or PDF
Submitting Revisions to Reorganization and Alternative Plans
RPCs and SAUs should include the following forms with the submission of their plans.
Reorganization Plans
Informational Letter # 49 Reorganization Plan Checklist and Cover Page
- Reorganization Plan Submittal Sheet
RTF or PDF
- Reorganization Plan Cover (Checklist)
RTF or PDF
Alternative Plans
Informational Letter #48 Alternative Plan Checklist and Cover Page
- Alternative Plan Submittal Sheet
RTF or PDF
- Alternative Plan Cover (Checklist)
RTF or PDF
Estimate of Penalties
We have calculated estimated penalties for each school administrative unit (SAU) in the state in the event that it does not comply with the reorganization law. Units that comply with the law will receive an incentive: the local mill expectation will be reduced as the penalty on non-complying units is redistributed to those units that comply.
Updated 6/10/08: The Estimated Penalties for non-conforming school administrative units have been revised (slightly downward) due to rounding to three decimal places rather than two, giving a more accurate estimate. Also, the detail spreadsheet now includes more description on how the penalties were calculated in the spreadsheet.
Estimated penalties - summary
Shows estimated penalty for each SAU (updated 6/10/08)
Estimated penalties - detail
Contains full detail - spreadsheet
in PDF format (updated 6/10/08)
Financial Data
Administrative Letter 36: Requesting Financial Data
Informational letter sent to superintendents June 28, 2007
Requesting Financial Data (Form)
For SAUs requesting data on potential Regional School Units
Budget Categories Information Sheet
Information to assist in completing the data request form
Forming a Reorganization Planning Committee (RPC
Guidelines for the formation and work of Reorganization Planning Committees
Funds for miscellaneous costs for RPCs working toward reorganization
Note: these funds are being made available to RPCs working toward reorganization only, not those working toward an alternative plan.
RPC Request for Funds for Miscellaneous Costs
RTF or PDF
- Second round - February 5, 2008 - $2,500 additional per RPC
Memo regarding availability of additional funds (2/5/08)
Request for Additional Funds for Miscellaneous Costs
RTF or PDF
Reimbursement for legal costs
SAUs and RPCs involved in developing reorganization plans may submit for reimbursement of up to $2,500 in legal costs. The RPC and each of the member SAUs may each apply separately using the forms below. SAUs filing Alternative Plans are not eligible. See form for details.
SAU Request for Reimbursement for Legal Costs
RTF or PDF
RPC Request for Reimbursement for Legal Costs
RTF or PDF
Facilitation
The Department of Education will provide facilitators to School Administrative Units that request them to provide technical assistance and guidance through the process.
Roster of Facilitators
Updated regularly as new facilitators go through the training
Facilitator Request Form
For School Administrative Units requesting a facilitator |
Resources
Education Planning Services for RSUs and AOSs
RSUs (including AOSs) may apply for $5,000 in education planning grants and the free services of a facilitator to do the planning needed to bring the people and education programs of separate SAUs together into one unified system.
RSUs and AOSs may apply for the grant and for a facilitator after the reorganization plan has been approved by the voters, and the State Board of Education has issued a certificate of organization.
Memo to Superintendents regarding availability of Education Planning Grants and Facilitators
Reorganization Planning Team Services
General information on Education Planning Team Services including information on how facilitators may assist in the process.
Education Planning Facilitator Request Form
RTF or PDF
RSU and AOS Request for Educational Planning Funds
RTF or PDF
RSU Guidance & Planning Documents for No Child Left Behind
The NCLB Team has put together some documents to assist you as you continue your school district consolidation journey.
There is also a PowerPoint that was presented to NCLB Coordinators as part of the Spring 2008 NCLB regional meetings.
RSU Start-up Work
This list highlights key issues necessary for regional school units to address prior to becoming operational and is not intended to be a comprehensive guide for new RSUs. In addition, please see Title 20-A MRSA, Section 1452, regarding the core responsibilities of RSU boards. View the document - PDF (revised 12/30/08).
Updated Summary of All Plans (1/7/09)
All of the anticipated reorganization plans have been filed, except one. And all of those filed have been approved by the Commissioner and are headed to votes in January.
Two regions that voted down plans have filed revised plans (with a subset of the original grouping) that will go to voters on Jan. 27. They are SAD 10 and SAD 27 in the St. John Valley, and a group of units outside Houlton. (See the plans and responses page for the full summary.)
After months not finding a partner, Wells-Ogunquit CSD has agreed to proceed with an AOS with Acton.
On Dec. 10, the Ellsworth region approved its reorganization plan; the Machias region did not. The Ellsworth plan shows considerable potential savings, and great educational opportunities as well.
View the latest summary of reorganization and alternative plans and their status. Click on "updated summary."
Guidance to Municipal Clerks and Interim Secretaries
Regarding the Reorganization Referendum Process
Letter to Municipal Clerks and School Officials from Jim Rier, Director of Finance and Operations (December 1, 2008)
Alternative Organizational Structures
RSU AOS Comparison (PDF)
This document lays out the differences in how these two structures operate in areas such as governance, core functions, interlocal agreements, and other areas.
AOS Structure and Functions (PDF)
Shows core and recommended AOS functions, local board functions, and associated account line numbers for budgeting and reporting purposes.
Facilities Master Planning
The Department will provide facilities analysis for long range planning to RPCs forming Regional School Units who request it. Details and information on requesting services.
Potential Efficiencies
This document lists potential efficiencies for RPCs to investigate and resources to contact. View the document.
Technology Guidelines
A planning guide to assist RPCs in the design, planning, and implementation of technology systems and support structures for RSUs. View the Technology Guidance Document.
Sample Communications DocumentsNEW
This document is being provided as a template for RPCs to customize with specific information from their Reorganization Plan to be shared with their voters prior to referendum.
Sample Communication Brochure
RSU Board
Determining Board Apportionment (Voting Method)
There are four methods by with an RSU may apportion voting on the board, all based on the one-person-one-vote principle required in the Constitution (NEW: Includes links to updated 2007 U.S. Census data)
Examples of Initial Staggered Terms (for RSU Board of Directors)
Three examples that illustrate initial staggered terms.
Local Cost-sharing Agreements
Potential cost-sharing factors
Provides information on factors to consider in developing local cost-sharing agreements.
Local cost-sharing agreements were not allowed in the original statute as passed by the Legislature. However, the Department submitted legislation to remove unintended financial barriers in the school administrative reorganization law, including allowing for local cost-sharing agreements.
Cost-sharing template
This template allows units to calculate each municipality’s local share based on different percentages of state valuation and pupils. The template allows up to 30 municipalities. If you have more than 30 municipalities, or need assistance with the template, please contact Suzan Beaudoin suzan.beaudoin@maine.gov.
Budgeting Models
The Department is in the process of developing budgeting models to achieve reductions in the four areas identified in the law - system administration, transportation, special education, and facilities and maintenance.
System Administration
Updated 4/24/08 - two models with four levels (student populations) in each
Model Budgeting and Staffing Levels for System Administration in PDF
Enrollment Counts
Oct. 1, 2006 student enrollment count
These student enrollment counts are the ones used for calculating the size of newly-formed RSUs (to determine threshold for meeting the 2,500 or 1,200 minimum counts).
Also see the question: "How do you determine whether the combination of school administrative units that are forming a Regional School Unit meets the minimum 2,500 or 1,200 student counts required by the recently passed legislation?" posted 8/31, on the Q&A page.
Materials from the latest forums
Commissioner Gendron invited RPC members and superintendents to four regional meetings in May 2008 to explain changes to the reorganization law that resulted from passage of LD 2323. Here are the handouts from those forums:
PowerPoint presentation
Summary of the reorganization law, including changes resulting from passage of LD 2323
Explanation of alternative organizational structures
Additional Resources
For municipal officials: Maine Municipal Association Reorganization website
For school officials: Maine School Management Association website |
