[Schoolconsolidation] Notes from July 30th Meeting

[Michael Richards]

Notes from Tonight's Meeting at the School

Jon Renell (new board chair) provided a quick recap of the events that has
brought our district to this point as a lot of new faces were in attendance.

The selectmen and the school committee have formed a group (Reorganization
Planning Committee) to work with both RSU 56 (Saco, Dayton, Old Orchard) and
RSU 57 (Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Wells, Ogunquit) in order to help make the
best decision for the children and taxpayers in Arundel.

There are two upcoming meetings this week with each RSU.  On July 31st RSU
57 and Arundel's RPC will meet at 7pm at the Kennebunk Town Hall.  The
meeting will be televised on Channel 3, if you're not able to attend.  On
Thursday, August 2nd, RSU 56 and Arundel's RPC will meet at Saco's Town
Hall.  Both RSU's are still wading their way through the questions and
financial numbers this merger may mean for everyone.  Important note:
Arundel has not committed to either RSU and attendance at these meetings is
to keep all options open.

It is the intent of the School Committee to file their Letter of Intent with
Commissioner Gendron by the August 31st deadline.  The Letter of Intent will
outline their interest in examining a merger with either RSU 56 or 57.  The
Commissioner will have 15 days to acknowledge the letter.  At that time the
commissioner may accept our plan, give a preference, or she may just lock us
into a RSU.

Sometime in November there will be either a straw poll vote or a formal vote
from the community to determine which RSU Arundel will enter, if the
Commissioner hasn't made that choice for Arundel.

By December 1st, Arundel will need to have a plan for consolidation with the
RSU on the Commissioner's desk.  The Commissioner at that time will have 14
days to accept or deny the plan.

Based on an acceptance from the Commissioner all of the communities will
need to hold a referendum vote (not by town but by school district) to
accept the consolidation.  If the community does not accept the
consolidation then they are indicating to the state they are either going
alone or will need to find a new consolidating partner.

Based on a denial from the Commissioner parties will need to go back to the
drawing board.

When the RSU is formed the next step will be to elect a Regional Board
(sometime in March).  There are questions on the make up of the board that
the RPC will figure out.  Arundel should have some form of representation.

The new school district will be formed and in effect either July 1, 2008 or
July 1, 2009 depending on the actions of the Commissioner and the RPCs form
the school districts consolidating.

A wrinkle in this timeline is a report to the legislature that is being made
in January.  This report may or may not affect timelines, planning, or other
issues around consolidation.  With 99.99999% certainty, the legislature will
not repeal school consolidation.

Please keep an eye out for communications concerning the process and meeting
information.  The school's website (http://www.arundelschool.net) and the
town's (http://www.arundelmaine.org) will document the minutes from meetings
and keep people posted on the latest information affecting consolidation.
Don't forget about the state's site (
http://www.maine.gov/education/supportingschools) which contains frequently
asked questions from people across the state.

Superintendent Hadley provided a little more detail concerning the voting
process and how the RSU's are formed.

Unfortunately when schools and towns have asked the Department of Education
or the Commissioner questions about consolidation there haven't been a lot
of answers given.  The lawyers who've been working on this don't have a lot
of answers either until the legislature makes their final steps, which will
not be until January.

There is no divorce clause in this process.  Towns may not exit out of
existing relationships (no dissolution of School Unions, School
Administrative Districts, nor Consolidated School Districts).  Once an RSU
has been formed a town may not secede and join another RSU or go it alone.
This is one reason why the School Committee is working closely with both
RSUs.

Some of the other topics discussed:

   - The School property will belong to the RSU not the town.
   - Schools may not be shut down during the consolidation process nor in
   the first year of the consolidation (Closing a school would require a 2/3
   vote of the RSU board.  The town may choose to keep it open but pay for it
   with extra costs involved in keeping it open.)
   - High School choice will remain in effect
   - The amount the RSU would pay for Arundel student to attend a
   non-parochial school would still be set by the state average (with the
   exception of private schools which may add up to 10%)
   - Transportation for that choice at the high school level would be up
   to the RSU (they're not going to be required and may help them achieve their
   5% savings in transportation)
   - The Thornton Academy Middle School (TAMS) contact will remain in
   effect.  The RSU will still be responsible for transportation, as state law
   requires it.
   - There is some question as who will retain the TAMS contract, the
   town or the RSU.  This will be investigated, as this is an important issue
   for parents.
   - If it costs more for the RSU to send public schools than it would to
   keep them in the district the local municipality would be responsible for
   picking up the extra cost.  There is no rebate for cheaper solutions.


Selectmen Peck addressed those in attendance asking for community input as
to the educational philosophy and academic achievements in the K-5 arena of
the districts we may be consolidating with.  The RPC would like to be able
to provide a side-by-side comparison of the districts in order to give
people the most complete information possible.

Hopefully I've provided all of the information presented.  If I've left
items off or have not accurately presented anything please let me know.


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Mildred L. Day School
Arundel, Maine
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