Educators oppose consolidation effort

To The Maine Legislature, Jeremy Fisher, Pat Sutherland, Governor John Baldacci, Maine Education Association and the people of Maine:
    WHEREAS Public Law 2007, Chapter 240 Part XXXX mandates the formation of regional school units;

    WHEREAS no evidence is available to prove the claim that the quality of education will be improved as a result of regionalization of schools;
    WHEREAS no evidence is available to prove the claims of reduced costs and property tax relief made in an attempt to justify regionalization of schools, and no recognition is made for the substantial increases in costs likely to occur as a result of regionalization;
    WHEREAS information provided by the state Department of Education shows that there will be unfair and inequitable increase and decreases in property tax burdens in members municipalities as a result of the mandated formation or regional school units;
    WHEREAS many municipalities will be punished financially if they vote to become members of a proposed regional school unit or if they vote not to participate in regionalization;
    WHEREAS the further erosion of local control of school and the further increase in state authority as a result of regionalization will diminish or destroy community involvement in education;
    WHEREAS one likely result of regionalization will be the closure of schools in many municipalities;
    THEREFORE, the MSAD 1 Education Association Executive Committee, at its meeting of December 10, 2007, supports, recommends and advocates for a citizen initiated petition for a referendum to repeal mandated school regionalization/consolidation as enacted in Public Law 2007, Chapter 240, Part XXXX.