Local Columns

From the superintendent's desk…

Regionalization: the governor's plan for redistricting school districts in Maine

By Dr. Henry R. Scipione
York Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Henry R. Scipione
As many of you know, Governor Baldacci has proposed a radical plan to consolidate school districts in Maine. Citing the need to create property tax reform, the governor has proposed that the number of school district administrations be consolidated from 152 school superintendent districts to 26. His rationale is that consolidation means efficiency and efficiency means less dollars being spent on education. His plan is receiving a great deal of attention in the media and now in the legislature. The governor's regionalization plan is part of his proposed budget and has been submitted to the legislature for action. Currently, his regionalization plan is being reviewed by the legislature for action this session.

As part of the governor's budget proposal, he is recommending the elimination of local school districts in favor of a regional system of school administrations. This means that York Schools would become part of a regional school district of nearly 18,000 students governed by one school board. York would join with other southern Maine communities to become this new regional school district of 17 towns. Under the governor's plan, local control of our schools, programs and curriculum would be shifted from York to the new regional school board. Control of our schools would come from the new regional board of which York would likely have one representative. York would give up its school facilities and lose local control over the school budget. The local community would not be voting on a budget for our local schools but rather for all schools within the 17 communities. By design, class sizes would increase and 650 teaching positions would be lost statewide.

Change in school administrative structure in Maine is needed. There are efficiencies and cost-saving measures that can be put into place without impacting the quality of education Maine students receive. The governor's plan may accomplish his goal of cost savings; however, it will do so by having our children pay a significant price. The quality of education York students receive will be significantly impacted if the governor's plan is enacted. I believe the governor's plan will have the effect of increasing the resources provided to some students in Maine while decreasing those resources to other children. His plan will create equity through the Robin Hood effect … taking from the rich and giving to the poor. In this case, York will likely be supplementing the educational costs in other communities while decreasing the resources available to our children. I firmly believe that every child in Maine should have equal opportunity to learn and should have the resources to achieve. I also believe it is the responsibility of every community to provide quality education. The governor's plan removes local control and responsibility by creating a regional system and eliminating all local school boards.

York has a long history of supporting our schools and has provided necessary support for our children. As a result there have been sacrifices made in York for the purpose of supporting education. These sacrifices have resulted in a strong, effective and efficient school system: a system that focuses on the individual student and provides the support for each student to succeed. I fear the governor's plan would compromise the ability of York Schools to continue to achieve excellence.

I believe the governor's plan is poorly conceived and places our children at significant risk. This is a drastic change that has come without participation from any constituent group in Maine. I am shocked by the manner in which this plan has emerged and how it is now proceeding through the legislature at an unprecedented rate. The York School Committee and the York Board of Selectmen have strongly voiced their objection to this plan. It is time for you, parents and community members, to have your voices heard. You cannot be silent on this issue if you want to preserve the quality education our students receive in York.

It is the legislature that must approve this plan, so I urge you to contact our legislators to voice your opinion about this plan. Unlike TABOR or Palesky, the voters will not have a voice at the polls. Your direct communication to York's legislators is the only way to express your concerns.

Our local legislators can be reached as follows: Dawn Hill at RepDawn.Hill@legislature.maine.gov, 363-7594 or 337-3689; Peter Bowman at PeterBowman@comcast.net or 439-6481, and Windol Weaver at RepWindol.Weaver@legislature.maine.gov or 363-4641. The State House Message Phone is (800) 423-2900.

The power to effect a change rests with each of us. Now is the time to be heard. Please communicate with our legislators.

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