Weekly Column: Back to School for Communities Looking for Partners

September 5, 2007

Over the past several election cycles, Maine voters have been pretty clear on a number of issues. The people have said they want hundreds of millions of dollars more in local school funding, a leaner state government, and lower taxes. The message has been clear at the polls: voters will get the job done through citizen campaigns if the legislature does not.

Democratic and Republican legislators have been listening and working hard to address these concerns in a way that makes sense to all of Maine’s communities. The state met the voter demand to increase the state’s share of school funding to 55 percent. The state will be providing a billion dollars in aid to fund K-12 local education all over Maine. The twin goals of more state funding are decreased property taxes and better education.

This state school support represents about 40 percent of every state budget dollar. Another 40 percent of the state dollar goes to health care related services for children, and the elderly. To cut state spending while simultaneously investing MORE in public schools requires new thinking about how to do the job better for less. The need to cut state spending (including education) without hurting our students drove the Governor and 2/3’s of the legislature to make a fundamental change in our education system. We voted to consolidate Maine’s 290 school districts into 80 regional school units (RSUs). Taxpayers all over Maine pay for inefficiencies within the system. Even a community with an efficient school district pays the price through state taxes for neighboring schools with too few students and a highly paid administration. With overwhelming support from Democrats and Republicans, the consolidation plan provides communities with the choice of who they want to partner with to find new savings over the long term for both their state and local taxes.

Even with the aggressive time line to get things done, some schools are making great progress. Others are finding great obstacles in spite of their good efforts. One creative discussion—and that is what it is at this point—involves School Union 52, MSAD 47, and Waterville. Leaders of those communities are exploring a marriage between an SAD (Oakland), a municipal district (Waterville), and a union (Winslow, Vassalboro, and China). The Eagles, the Panthers, and the Raiders would continue to exist with all students in the district allowed to choose the school within their district that is best for them. One idea on the table is to have the schools create fields of excellence and specialties, giving true public school choice. The conversation is truly just beginning. Details must be worked out and ultimately the people in these communities will vote on the new plan. It is a tribute to visionary leadership about the future of the region and the education of all our students.

This merger is only one of many options. Augusta school leaders believe they can best serve their community and their students by standing alone. That too is a valid option after the community looks at all the pros and cons of merging and looks for savings within the current arrangement. The consolidation law makes provisions for such a plan after due diligence.

The 290 school units all filed at least one plan to meet the consolidation requirements to get closer to the goal of 80 regional school units. This is a significant first step for everyone involved. This benchmark is just the beginning of some very hard work and questioning about the best route to take. As we move forward, it is understandable that this process will challenge most school boards and communities. The goal of improving education and finding ways to reduce Maine’s heavy tax burden should keep us focused. I am confident that all involved in the consolidation process will help our state realize its potential.

Libby Mitchell is the Senate Majority Leader in the Maine Senate. She represents the communities of Augusta, Vassalboro, China, Oakland, and Sidney for District 24.