School District Reorganization News

Look Here To Find News From Your Town and School District

Plan Approval Update:

Only 3 of 39 DOE approved reorganization plans have been submitted to the voters. Of the remaining 36 plans, 33 have only provisional DOE approval and 3 been given final DOE approval. These 36 plans must be submitted to voters before the DOE's final deadline of January 30, 2009. Most of the plans were supposed to be on the November, 2008 ballot, but very few School Districts will be able to this. The November election was held on Tuesday, November, 4th. In order to comply with election laws, ballots must be finalized 45 days prior to the election – which is Friday, September 19th. So, the reorganization plans must be finally (not provisionally) approved by DOE prior to September 19th. The DOE has set an August 15th deadline for plan submittal to DOE for its review. As a result most plans are going to miss November's ballot.

September 25

• Consolidation of western districts poses challenges , Valerie Tucker, Morning Sentinel
• [Burnham, Detroit, Pittsfield SAD 53 hopes for more time to find partners] , Scott Monroe, Morning Sentinel
• [Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel RSU awaits state decision] , Emma Bouthillette, Kennebunk Post
• [Falmouth, Cumberland, North Yarmouth SAD 51 officials make their case for reorganization] , Sarah Trent, Forecaster
• [Freeport, Durham, Pownal RPC subcommittee must relay facts, fast] , Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Table of Reorganized Districts , MDIschools.net (9/25)
• Map of Reorganized Districts , MDIschools.net (9/25)
• Summary of Alternative and Reorganization Plans , DoE (9/25/2008)

September 24

• [Pittsfield, Burnham, Detroit SAD 53 seeks law to escape penalties] , Sharon Kiley Mack, Bangor Daily News
• [Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls Panel reaches agreement on cost-sharing formula] , Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Temple, Vienna, Weld, Wilton SAD 9 board rejects consolidation plan] , Ann Bryant, Sun Journal
• [Belfast, Belmont, Morrill, Northport, Searsmont, Swanville, Frankfort, Searsport, Stockton Springs School consolidation hearings draw 24 people] , Jay Davis, Republican Journal
• Town of Trenton: Reorganization FAQs (presented at 9/24 public forum at Trenton Elementary School)

September 23

• [Canton, Carthage, Dixfield Merger goes to SAD 21 voters] , Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Highland Plantation, Coplin Plantation, Eustis, Kingfield, Farmington Hearings set on schools merger] , Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [Manchester, Readfield, Wayne, Maranacook Poll: Share public works?]
• Statehouse finance panel to meet Thursday , Susan M. Cover, mainetoday.com
• [Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Temple, Vienna, Weld, Wilton MSAD 9 school board vote to support consolidation fails] , Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

September 22

• Willing school-merger partners deserve a break , Editorial, Press Herald

September 21

• College Panel Calls for Less Focus on SATs , Sarah Rimer, New York Times

September 20

• [Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Peru, Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner, Byron, Mexico, Roxbury, Rumford, Hanover State approves 12-town school merger plan] , Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal

September 19

• State withholds school subsidies , Matthew Stone, Press Herald
• Grace period for some school plans is justified , Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• [Mechanic Falls, Minot, Poland Union 29 consolidation plan OK'd] , Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal
• [Mount Desert District consolidation meeting set] , MacKenzie Rawcliffe, Mount Desert Islander
• St. George meeting addresses consolidation concerns , Michael Dworkin, Courier-Gazette
• [Lee, Springfield, Webster Plt, Winn SAD 30 rejects alternative body, stays in RSU 17] , Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• [View from Nebraska Parents Battle Over School Mergers] , National Public Radio (audio file)

September 18

• Ellsworth, Unions 92 and 96 Consolidation To Go to Local Voters , Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• Consolidation Opponents Continue Working Toward Repeal , Ellsworth American
• Gendron: Consolidation on track , Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Schools Face Another Consolidation Deadline , Scott Sassone, WCSH
• [Rockland, South Thomaston, Owls Head, Thomaston, St. George, Cushing Education commissioner approves SAD 5, 50 merger plan] , Shlomit Auciello, Courier-Gazette

September 17

• [Oakland, China, Belgrade, Sidney SAD 47 boss selling school-merger plan] , Colin Hickey, Kennebec Journal
• [Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Temple, Vienna, Weld, Wilton, Eustis, Kingfield, Phillips, Strong School consolidation plan going to voters] , Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• Direct democracy and crafting town school budgets , Gordon Donaldson, Bangor Daily News
• MAP: Configuration of Proposed Regional School Units , DoE (9/17)
• Kittery, Wells-Ogunquit committees take no action: Both challenged by consolidation restrictions , Robyn Burnham, Journal Tribune
• Regionalization Creeps Forward , Maine Education Association, News & Views
• School funding debate far from its deathbed , Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Friday is key consolidation deadline , Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [Burnham, Detroit, Pittsfield Plan would delay school merger penalties] , Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• School Choice for Wiscasset Presented to Sheepscot Valley RPC , Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• [St. George Tax concerns spur meeting] , George Chappell, Bangor Daily News

September 16

• [ Saco, Dayton, Old Orchard Beach Better, cheaper education goal of school consolidation] , Kate Irish Collins, Sun Chronicle

September 15

• [North Yarmouth, Cumberland Falmouth, SAD 51 seeking public opinion on school merger plan] , Dennis Hoey, Press Herald
• [Arrowsic, Georgetown Superintendent hoping for better outcome on tuition negotiations] , Bob Kalish, Times Record
• Wallack Walks Away , Al Diamon, Media Mutt
• Alternative organizational structure good fit for five towns , Stephen Bowen, villagesoup.com

September 13

• [Avon, Phillips, Strong, Kingfield, Eustis, Farmington Amended school merger plan in works] , Valerie Tucker, Morning Sentinel

September 12

• [Raymond, Windham Consolidation questions aired] , Carol Meader, keepmecurrent.com
• Windsor School merger could generate added expenses , Mechele Cooper, Kennebec Journal
• Trenton Update on School Consolidation , Town of Trenton, informational brochure (9/12)
• Eileen King elected president of Maine School Superintendents Association , Sue Mello, Boothbay Register
• Edgecomb gets consolidation update , Susan Johns, Wiscasset Newspaper
• SADs 5, 50 approve changes, re-submit consolidation plan , Emily Sapienza, Courier-Gazette

September 11

• [Farmington, Weld, Temple, Wilton, Chesterville, New Vineyard, Industry, New Sharon, Vienna, Phillips, Eustis, Avon, Kingfield, Strong Board OKs merger plan] , Valerie Tucker, Morning Sentinel
• Flexible School Days , Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• [Fayette, Manchester, Mount Vernon, Readfield, Wayne, Winthrop School merger committee chooses new leadership] , Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal

• [Cumberland, North Yarmouth, Falmouth Officials begin push for 'yes' on reorganization] , Sarah Trent, Forecaster
• [Cumberland, North Yarmouth, Falmouth Critics at forum question benefits of school reorganization] , Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• [Freeport, Durham, Pownal RPC subcommittee formed to educate public] , Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Phillips, Eustis, Avon, Kingfield, Strong MSAD 58 school board submits plan, signals opposition to consolidation] , Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• Edgecomb gets consolidation update , Susan Johns, Wiscasset Newspaper]

September 10

• China officials dispel consolidation rumors , Mary Grow, Kennebec Journal
• [Burlington, Edinburg, Enfield, Howland, Lowell, Maxfield, Passadumkeag SAD 31 to stay out of Katahdin partnership] , Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• [Andover, Bethel, Greenwood, Newry, Woodstock, Dallas Plt., Lincoln Plt., Magalloway Plt., Rangeley, Rangeley Plt., Sandy River Plt. SAD 44 to seek administrative union with Rangeley, SAU 37] , Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Newcastle, Nobleboro, Great Salt Bay CSD, Jefferson, Edgecomb, South Bristol, Southport School consolidation: Closer but not clearer] , Sue Mello, Boothbay Register
• [Jefferson, Bremen, Newcastle, Damariscotta, Bristol, South Bristol, Nobleboro, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport, Edgecomb Consolidation Plan for Jefferson School Moves Forward] , John Maguire, Lincoln County News

• [Alna, Westport Island, Wiscasset, Palermo, Chelsea, Somerville, Windsor, Whitefield Sheepscot Valley RSU Plan Needs Clarification] , Lucy Martin, Lincoln County News
• Wiscasset Board Pushes RSU Plan Forward , Greg Foster, Lincoln County News

September 9

• End in sight for school law repeal drive , Rich Hewett, Bangor Daily News
• Table of Reorganized Districts , MDIschools.net (9/09)

• Map of Reorganized Districts , MDIschools.net (9/09)

• [Farmington, Weld, Temple, Wilton, Chesterville, New Vineyard, Industry, New Sharon, Vienna, Phillips, Eustis, Avon, Kingfield, Strong Consolidation plans hit roadblock] , David Hart, Original Irregular (8/27)
• [Farmington, Weld, Temple, Wilton, Chesterville, New Vineyard, Industry, New Sharon, Vienna, Phillips, Eustis, Avon, Kingfield, Strong MSAD 9 school board sends consolidation plan to state] , Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

September 8

• Students, exam both come up short , Kelley Bouchard, Press Herald
• [Farmington, Weld, Temple, Wilton, Chesterville, New Vineyard, Industry, New Sharon, Vienna, Phillips, Eustis, Avon, Kingfield, Strong Cost-sharing shift could alter proposed RSU consolidation plan] , Valerie Tucker, Morning Sentinel
• Virtual town hall could help solve rural dilemma , Charles Lawton, Press Herald

September 6

• [Kittery, Wells-Ogunquit York County schools to weigh merger] , Ann S. Kim, Press Herald
• Fewer Districts, Students , Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• [Appleton, Hope, Lincolnville, Camden, Rockport Time to talk education] , Editorial, Camden Herald

September 5

• Careful wording explains consolidation progress , Jim Rier, Morning Sentinel
• [Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Peru, Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner, Byron, Mexico, Roxbury, Rumford Meetings set on school merger] , Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Rockland, South Thomaston, Owls Head, Cushing, St. George, Thomaston Committee for SADs 5, 50 to review reorganization plans] , George Chappell, Bangor Daily News
• [Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel Committee amends RSU formula due to K‘bunk objections] , Emma Bouthillette, Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Post
• Summary and Status of Reorganization Plans , DoE (9/05)
• [Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Dayton Consolidation plan subject of open public forum series] , Gillian Graham, Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach Courier

September 4

• [Belgrade, Oakland, Sidney SAD 47 says yes to China] , Colin Hickey, Kennebec Journal
• Consolidation Opponents Note Discontent with State Mandate , Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Education Chief Approves MDI School Reorganization , Earl Brechlin, Ellsworth American
• [Ellsworth, Hancock, Lamoine, Mariaville, Otis, Eastbrook, Waltham, Franklin, Gouldsboro, Sorrento, Steuben, Sullivan, Winter Harbor Consolidated School Union Plan Going Before Public] , Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• [Fayette, Manchester, Mount Vernon, Readfield, Wayne, Winthrop Difficulties increase for merger planners] , Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [Rockland, South Thomaston, Owls Head, Cushing, St. George, Thomaston Consolidation plan rejected; SADs 5, 50 work to fix problems] , Emily Sapienza, Courier-Gazette
• New school year, new blog , Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Newcastle, Nobleboro, Great Salt Bay CSD, Jefferson, Edgecomb, South Bristol, Southport School consolidation: Closer but not clearer] , Sue Mello, Boothbay Register

September 3

• Cape Elizabeth Passes School Budget , WMTW
• Cape approves revised school budget , Dennis Hoey, Press Herald
• [Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls Consultants give merged school planners insight] , Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• SAD 17 approves revised plan for reorganization , Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• [Farmington, Weld, Temple, Wilton, Chesterville, New Vineyard, Industry, New Sharon, Vienna, Phillips, Eustis, Avon, Kingfield, Strong New information shows SAD 9 pays more to consolidate] , Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• School consolidation picture not as rosy as state paints , Stephen Bowen, Morning Sentinel
• School merger repeal effort moves forward , Victoria Wallack, keepmecurrent.com
• Status of Reorganization Plans , Department of Education (8/29)
• [Bremen School Consolidation, Discussion And Clarification] , John Maguire, Lincoln County News
• [Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Newcastle, Nobleboro, So. Bristol, Edgecomb, Southport Regional Planning Committee Discusses Further Plans Toward an AOS Goal] , John Maguire, Lincoln County News

September 2

• School enrollment expected to decline to below 190,000 , Mal Leary, Bangor Daily News
• First day of school -- and public policy , Eric Conrad, Kennebec Journal
• [Camden, Rockport, Hope, Appleton, Lincolnville Five towns may keep own school boards] , Stephen Betts, Camden Herald

September 1

• [Fayette, Manchester, Mount Vernon, Readfield, Wayne, Winthrop School plan in limbo] , Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [View from Pennsylvania Budget woes spark school district merger talks] , Martha Raffaele & Ramesh Santanam, Philadelphia Inquirer