Report Shows Support for School District Consolidation

Report Shows Support for School District Consolidation

Governor John Baldacci said that a newly released GrowSmart study shows support for his initiative to reduce central administration of school districts across the state.

The study released today reflects the demand that exists across Maine for tax relief and for reduced administration. The poll of 500 registered voters found that 51 percent favored a reduction in the number of school superintendents in order to provide local property tax relief. Only 15 percent did not support such a reduction.

Named "Local Schools, Regional Support", the Governor's proposal would reduce administrative spending, freeing up funds for tax relief and for direct benefit of students and teachers.

"This poll shows that Maine people want change. I am pleased that citizens are engaged in this important debate because our schools need to be about excellence in education, not excess in administration," said Governor Baldacci. "We are proud of the work that our administrators are doing, but it is time for a change in the way our administrative units operate. Bold action is required to ensure that resources are being spent in the right place: to support students and teachers in the classroom."

In reporting the results, Alan Caron, president of GrowSmart Maine, said "We certainly need to have a robust conversation about how we're going to become more efficient, but Maine people are clearly in support of action that will move us forward. The status quo is not an option."

Governor Baldacci and Maine Education Commission Susan Gendron have been traveling across the state to discuss with the public the details of the Local Schools, Regional Support Initiative. A series of forums have been conducted in Lewiston, North Berwick, Portland, and Bangor. An all day legislative hearing on the proposal will be held February 5 at the Civic Center in Augusta.

The biennial budget proposed by the Governor meets the commitment that the people of Maine voted for - fulfilling the promise of state spending on K-12 education to 55 percent. That represents about 800 million new dollars over a four year phase-in.

To achieve property tax relief and ensure resources are spent in the right place, Governor Baldacci's plan reduces the number of school administrative units from 290 to 26. The Governor's initiative will:

o Keep local schools open;

o Boost classroom resources and improve student outcomes;

o Enhance local oversight, with more involvement from parents through local advisory boards.

The benefits of Local Schools, Regional Support Initiative include:

o Funding for a full-time principal for every school;

o Increased teacher salaries and expanded professional development opportunities for teachers;

o Major expansion of the laptop initiative so that all students from grades 7-12 will have access to laptops so they can better connect to the global economy;

o Proposed scholarships averaging $2,000 per student to attend UMaine System, Community Colleges, or Maine Maritime Academy;

o Provide $241 million in savings that translate into property tax relief over three years.

"This plan will achieve the excellence in education we have been striving for in Maine," remarked the Governor. "It will strengthen local involvement in K-12 education and will open the doors to higher education wider than ever before, so students are ready to learn and graduate ready to succeed here in Maine."

The study also showed broad support for streamlining government at all levels. Governor Baldacci has proposed in his biennial budget to reduce administration and streamline State government. Since taking office, the Governor has eliminated 600 state positions and saved 11 million dollars in the last budget cycle. This budget proposes administrative savings at the Department of Health and Human Services and proposes the consolidations of two state departments: Economic and Community Development and Professional and Financial Regulation to form one Department of Commerce with a focus on business activity.

http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Gov+News&id=29426&v=Article-2006