Update from Augusta

As a member of the Education & Cultural Affairs Committee, I have found myself very busy with many meetings addressing the proposed school regionalization plans submitted by the Governor and several members of the legislature. After a very active public hearing early in February, we have had numerous work sessions making our way through the several, yet similar proposals before us.
       My goals for this legislation, shared by the members of the committee, are to decrease the cost of K-12 education by improving the efficiency in the system, achieve excellence in the classroom, and provide real, measurable tax relief for local taxpayers.
It is clear that there will be legislation affecting the organization of public education delivery in Maine. This is a significant change, one that has not occurred since the Sinclair Act in the 50s. First and foremost is to ensure the children in Maine receive an education which provides them the academic preparation they need to compete successfully in our global economy. That said, efficiencies must be achieved to provide tax payers with property tax relief much sought by us all.
Of course there are many school districts throughout the state, and certainly in Aroostook County, which are doing an outstanding job. However, we can always do better and that is the goal of our effort. I expect our final plan will include many of the Governor’s plan components, although most of us feel that 26 school units are too few. A review of data indicates that maximum efficiencies are achieved with school units if 2,500 to 4,000 students. No where in our planning discussions is there any consideration to closing any schools. A local school is critical to the healthy growth of our communities, and I will support including language in the legislation which addresses that.
Local input into school decisions is also critical. It has been suggested that each school have an active advisory group to work with the principals, or at least one for each community in the case of more than one school, and another suggestion is that each new school board have at least one representative from each municipality, with equal votes. These are all elements of a new plan which will be discussed and refined before we complete our work. Our deadline is March 8and we plan to work throughout the weekend.
We are currently hearing from all the agencies and organizations funded under the auspices of the committee. Next time I’ll give you an update on the various proposals affecting education which surface before the Education & Cultural Affairs Committee. Please feel free to contact me with your thoughts and/or concerns. I may be reached at 287-1400 or toll free 1-800-423-2900 or you can email me at RepPatricia.Sutherland@legislature.maine.gov.
Rep. Sutherland represents Castle Hill, Chapman, Hammond, Littleton, Mapleton, Masardis, Monticello, Presque Isle (part), Wade, Washburn and Oxbow Plantation, plus the unorganized territory of central Aroostook (including E Township).