York Town News
Officials: state school plan is bad news for York
By Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK - The School Committee and Board of Selectmen are urging local residents to attend a meeting here in town next week to learn about the implications of the latest draft of the state's education plan, which local officials believe will be anything but good for the community.The York School Committee will host a meeting on the subject next Wednesday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. at the York Public Library.
"It is important that we keep you informed about the most current state plan for reorganization of our schools," said Mary-Jane Merrill of the School Committee in an announcement of the meeting.
The Board of Selectmen is echoing that sentiment, and Vice Chairman Dwight Bardwell, for one, has pledged to be in attendance at Wednesday's meeting. The full board has taken a unified stance against the state's proposal to consolidate local school districts into regional entities with an added layer of regional school boards making decisions about educational programs and expenses.
"This has a tremendous impact on our charter, our way of life, our form of government," Bardwell said. "…This is taking school control away from us."
If the current draft is adopted, as officials believe it will be, the result will be the dissolution of the York School Committee, changes in the contracts that are in existence with current School Department staff and other implications, Bardwell said, stressing this is a critical discussion.
Selectman Len Dorrian agreed.
"If this passes, this May warrant will be the last time the voters of York will have to vote on school expenditures," he said, pointing out that the taxpayers will lose control over the line items that comprise two-thirds of the total municipal budget. "…It's a rather significant event. … It's a major, major change."
Chairman Dave Marshall pointed out that the consolidation was first proposed as part of Gov. John Baldacci's state budget for the fiscal year ahead, meaning the Legislature will decide, and not the voters. And, he said, just how the promised savings referenced in the proposed state budget will be realized by such a plan remains a mystery at best.
"I don't know how they know what the savings is, but they're booking $36 million," he said.
Bardwell said there is no "opt-out" provision in the plan - even though the proposal directly conflicts with York's home rule charter.
The selectmen urged residents to attend next week's School Committee meeting, or to watch the meeting on Public Access Channel 3, to learn more.
The Board of Selectmen will also be meeting this coming Monday with the Kittery Town Council at 7 p.m. at the Kittery Town Hall to discuss ways the two towns can work together. The board agreed that meeting, too, may include discussions of the state's school plan.
For more about what is being proposed in Augusta and its implications for the local community, visit www.yorkschools.org.
