Reorganization referendum planned,
public hearing set
Staff Writer
FORT FAIRFIELD – SAD 20 Superintendent Marc Gendron wants the community to get out and vote June 1 and make the Mid-County School System a reality. On April 2, 2010, the Commissioner of Education formally approved the Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) plan submitted by SAD 20 (Fort Fairfield), SAD 42 (Central Aroostook) and the Bridgewater School Department.
Voters in the three school districts will be asked June 1: “Do you favor approving the school administrative reorganization plan prepared by the Mid-County School System reorganization planning committee to reorganize SAD 20, SAD 42, and Bridgewater School Department into an alternative organizational structure, with an effective date of July 1, 2010?”
According to Gendron, a “Yes” vote would mean the three current school systems would combine all central office functions (district administration, business offices, state/federal reporting, etc.), special education administration, and transportation director responsibilities.
“The integration of these services will be phased in over a three-year period and the estimated cost savings for all the districts involved is $200,000,” he said. “If approved by the voters, the approved plan also allows the districts involved to avoid approximately $150,000 in annual penalties imposed by the Department of Education for school districts that have failed to re-organize by July 1, 2010.
“This plan also provides opportunities for staff and administrators from all schools to work more closely in developing ideas and sharing ‘best practices’ that can benefit all students,” said Gendron. “The new AOS board will have only the authority specifically assigned to it by the AOS plan and interlocal agreements. Voting for the plan does not remove control of how the member boards budget, run and administer their local schools. We’ll be able to retain local control and retain responsibility for assets.”
If the three communities approve the plan, a public hearing on the AOS budget will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 15 at the Central Aroostook High School cafeteria.
“The decision on whether or not to move forward rests with the citizens of all the communities involved,” said Gendron. “If any one local district votes not to move forward, the plan will not go into effect … the whole deal is off and all three districts – whether they vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ – will have to pay the penalties.
“This plan does not create a Regional School Unit (RSU). People don’t have to worry about somebody coming in and closing their school; all we’re doing is getting together the central office functions, special education, and transportation,” he said.
The AOS referendum vote will be from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 1 at the Fort Fairfield Community Center, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at the fire station in Mars Hill, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Blaine Town Office, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Bridgewater Town Office.
To help inform voters, a public hearing on the referendum article will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 11 at the Fort Fairfield Middle/High School cafeteria, as well as the Central Aroostook High School in Mars Hill. Bridgewater residents can attend a similar hearing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 19 at the Civic Building.
