Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – The SAD 1 board of directors voted Nov. 14 to begin talks with SAD 32 about consolidating services.
For the better part of an hour, directors discussed Education Commissioner Susan Gendron’s plan to consolidate school districts in the state. The meeting was held at Zippel Elementary School. “The commissioner was at a meeting Oct. 29 which was attended by school board members, as well as school officials,” said Gehrig Johnson, who serves as superintendent for both districts, “and felt quite strongly that SAD 1 should partner up with Ashland and Bridgewater. That’s what she wants and that’s what she’ll accept.
“She later said if we go through the process, she’s willing to have us not join both districts, just Ashland,” he said. “She views this as a concession. The commissioner also said she would hold us harmless and suggest to the education committee that SAD 1 not be penalized if people vote it down at referendum because the district could stand on its own merit.”
Recognizing that SAD 32 had earlier filed for the donut hole exemption, which was rejected by the commissioner, Johnson said at the Nov. 8 board meeting, SAD 32 directors voted to approach SAD 1 to discuss consolidating services.
With both boards willing to broach the subject, Johnson said he would send a letter of intent to Gendron, who would have to give her approval before the two districts begin talks.
Meanwhile, a statewide drive to collect signatures to repeal the school consolidation law is ongoing.
Signatures have to be submitted to the Legislature by Jan. 28, 2008. If enough signatures are gathered, the issue would go to a statewide referendum next November, leaving the final decision up to Maine voters.
“It would be logical for us to move at a slow pace,” said Johnson. “If the repeal gets enough signatures, it will dampen the RSU [Regional School Unit] process and would probably delay the implementation of the law for at least a year. There would be lots of effects that will be felt if enough signatures are collected.”
Though not in favor of the school consolidation plan, director Terry Sandusky said it was important to move forward.
“We have to maintain the best position we can,” he said. “There are a lot of changes that can happen between now and then. A referendum can get launched … we don’t know what the Legislature will do … some legislators may have a change of heart … you just never know.
“I think we’ve got to honestly go forward and see what happens,” said Sandusky.
After additional discussion, the board voted to enter talks with SAD 32. Directors also said they had no objections to have an informational booth at school events like games and open houses to collect signatures. It was agreed the district would not solicit signatures, but have a representative on hand or a sign that would explain the school consolidation issue.
Also at the recent SAD 1 board meeting, directors:
• Accepted the resignation of Wayne MacFarline, industrial and farm mechanics teacher at the Presque Isle Regional Career & Technical Center. MacFarline’s resignation was effective Oct. 31. His son, Wayne MacFarline Jr., has been hired as a long-term substitute and will fill the post until the end of the school year, at which time the position will be advertised.
The next regular SAD 1 board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5 at the board conference room at Presque Isle High School.
