School plan still dilemma for Acton (Printed Jan. 17, 2008)
By Renee Worthing
Register Reporter
The Acton School District appears to be “land-locked” among neighboring school districts that are big enough to stand alone in Gov. John Baldacci’s school reorganization plan, Maine Department of Education Commissioner Susan Gendron said.
While neighboring school districts already comply with Baldacci’s consolidation plan, Acton, which serves about 400 students, must take steps to partner with other another district.
Acton School District met the Aug. 30 deadline to submit plans to consolidate with Sanford or Noble (SAD 60), but a letter of response from the Department of Education said Acton’s plan does not comply because neither Sanford nor SAD 60 submitted reciprocal plans.
“As we look at consolidation partners all around us, it’s clear they are large enough to stand alone,” Acton School Department Superintendent Brian Beeler said.
Gendron met with Beeler and Sanford School Department Superintendent Jack Turcotte, as well as the school boards for each district Jan. 7 to “find out if it there was a viable way to work at a consolidation relationship” between the two districts.
“Where do we go to find a partner?” Beeler asked Gendron. “Who is our next potential partner? We are really in a quandary. As we see it, there is no viable option. SAD 60 is not willing to talk as long as the tuition contract (with Sanford) is in the way.”
However, Gendron reiterated the need for Acton to continue working with Sanford and SAD 60 to form a partnership.
She said legislators are aware of the problem with Acton, as well as other school districts facing the same dilemma.
Gendron said 45 legislators proposed revising the consolidation guidelines because some school districts, such as Acton, are too small to stand alone, but are surrounded by school districts that are large enough to stand alone and have opted out of negotiations with the smaller districts.
“Some of the options proposed (by legislators) allow smaller school districts,” she said. “Not as small as Acton, but the education commission is considering options.”
She said the proposals are expected to be heard Jan.18 and finalized Jan. 25 at the state level. A public hearing on the matter is slated for Feb. 6 at the state house.
However, as the law is currently written, Acton may face penalties for not complying with the law.
“It’s sad when we have a bill that puts everyone in a hole,” Sanford School Board Chairman Marguerite Herlihy said.
She said she hoped legislators would allow the school districts to “be creative” and work without constraints.
“We already consolidated in food services. There are savings there. The state should be satisfied,” Herlihy said.
Gendron said the communities should document what each is doing to save money. She said if there is flexibility in the consolidation model, documentation of implemented plans may work in their favor.
Beeler said he understands there may be options “down the road,” but said he is concerned about meeting deadlines set forth in the law.
Gendron encouraged Acton to meet with a facilitator and continue to file plans in accordance with the deadlines.
She said the next deadline for filing plans of intent is Feb. 1.
Gendron said she then has 14 days to respond. The school district will then have 30 days to file again. She said the process would continue until she knows if the legislature will allow flexibility or until Acton forms a partnership.
Turcotte said one of the reasons Sanford has hesitated to discuss partnering with Acton is concern about penalties.
“If we got a regional school unit together (with Acton), and got three-quarters down the path and determined we wanted to get out (of consolidating with Acton), if discussions ceased, would we be penalized when we were in compliance to begin with?” Turcotte asked.
Gendron said there was nothing in the law that mandates discussion because Sanford already complies with the law due to the number of students Sanford serves.
“This is a classic case of one size does not fit all,” Beeler said.
To contact Renee Worthing, call 282-4337 ext. 240 or email news@intheregister.com.
Register Reporter
The Acton School District appears to be “land-locked” among neighboring school districts that are big enough to stand alone in Gov. John Baldacci’s school reorganization plan, Maine Department of Education Commissioner Susan Gendron said.
While neighboring school districts already comply with Baldacci’s consolidation plan, Acton, which serves about 400 students, must take steps to partner with other another district.
Acton School District met the Aug. 30 deadline to submit plans to consolidate with Sanford or Noble (SAD 60), but a letter of response from the Department of Education said Acton’s plan does not comply because neither Sanford nor SAD 60 submitted reciprocal plans.
“As we look at consolidation partners all around us, it’s clear they are large enough to stand alone,” Acton School Department Superintendent Brian Beeler said.
Gendron met with Beeler and Sanford School Department Superintendent Jack Turcotte, as well as the school boards for each district Jan. 7 to “find out if it there was a viable way to work at a consolidation relationship” between the two districts.
“Where do we go to find a partner?” Beeler asked Gendron. “Who is our next potential partner? We are really in a quandary. As we see it, there is no viable option. SAD 60 is not willing to talk as long as the tuition contract (with Sanford) is in the way.”
However, Gendron reiterated the need for Acton to continue working with Sanford and SAD 60 to form a partnership.
She said legislators are aware of the problem with Acton, as well as other school districts facing the same dilemma.
Gendron said 45 legislators proposed revising the consolidation guidelines because some school districts, such as Acton, are too small to stand alone, but are surrounded by school districts that are large enough to stand alone and have opted out of negotiations with the smaller districts.
“Some of the options proposed (by legislators) allow smaller school districts,” she said. “Not as small as Acton, but the education commission is considering options.”
She said the proposals are expected to be heard Jan.18 and finalized Jan. 25 at the state level. A public hearing on the matter is slated for Feb. 6 at the state house.
However, as the law is currently written, Acton may face penalties for not complying with the law.
“It’s sad when we have a bill that puts everyone in a hole,” Sanford School Board Chairman Marguerite Herlihy said.
She said she hoped legislators would allow the school districts to “be creative” and work without constraints.
“We already consolidated in food services. There are savings there. The state should be satisfied,” Herlihy said.
Gendron said the communities should document what each is doing to save money. She said if there is flexibility in the consolidation model, documentation of implemented plans may work in their favor.
Beeler said he understands there may be options “down the road,” but said he is concerned about meeting deadlines set forth in the law.
Gendron encouraged Acton to meet with a facilitator and continue to file plans in accordance with the deadlines.
She said the next deadline for filing plans of intent is Feb. 1.
Gendron said she then has 14 days to respond. The school district will then have 30 days to file again. She said the process would continue until she knows if the legislature will allow flexibility or until Acton forms a partnership.
Turcotte said one of the reasons Sanford has hesitated to discuss partnering with Acton is concern about penalties.
“If we got a regional school unit together (with Acton), and got three-quarters down the path and determined we wanted to get out (of consolidating with Acton), if discussions ceased, would we be penalized when we were in compliance to begin with?” Turcotte asked.
Gendron said there was nothing in the law that mandates discussion because Sanford already complies with the law due to the number of students Sanford serves.
“This is a classic case of one size does not fit all,” Beeler said.
To contact Renee Worthing, call 282-4337 ext. 240 or email news@intheregister.com.
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