[Schoolconsolidation] Tuesday's Meeting with Saco Officials

[Michael Richards]

Here are my notes from last night's meeting.  Don't forget there is a
meeting tonight with officials from the Department of Education, 7 pm at
Biddeford Middle School.

There were 3 school board officials from each town.  The mayor of Saco, Mark
Johnston, who also serves on the school board, and each Superintendent were
present.

Alan Richard opened the meeting by introducing how each party has come to
the table.

Mayor Johnston addressed why Saco would by interested in consolidating with
Arundel.  Basically the more students a district has the more opportunities
they district can have while reducing the cost per child.  The Mayor is
looking at how can the administrative side of the education be consolidated
for taxpayers to see savings.  He was very clear about not closing schools
because schools represents communities.  ****Editorial Note-This was
repeated over and over again and I feel his was genuine about it.  All of
the discussions were around the best interest of children.****

Both parties addressed the TA factor.  Nothing would really change as it
comes to TA, the local munis would be negotiating with TA.

Michael LaFourtune, Superintendent of Union 7, clearly stated he was not
there to assimilate Arundel into Saco and that Dayton has the exact same
concerns about maintaining their local school.

Mayor Johnston went on the record as saying that closing a school does save
money but it is not in the best interest of children.

Both parties are concerned about how the funding formula is going to be
determined as that will dictate further actions.  There was discussion that
the local munis will need to vote in favor of consolidation and that budgets
would be passed in a referendum vote.

Both parties talked about how Arundel would be able to take advantage of
services from a larger school district like summer school, curriculum
director, business manager, professional development.  These are all things
that have a direct impact on children while maintaining the local school
systems that each town has in place.

The Mayor suggested that the Superintendents, Business Manager of Saco, and
the City Finance Director take a look at the numbers to see how this might
play out while we wait for the state to provide more guidance.  After that
this would be extended to Dayton as well.

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Mildred L. Day School
Arundel, Maine
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