Rural schools moving forward with consolidation

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    STACYVILLE — The school boards of SAD 25 and Hersey have authorized SAD 25 Supt. John Doe to submit a school reorganization plan on their behalf in conjunction with CSD 9 and Moro Plantation. The move came at SAD 25’s and Hersey’s annual joint meeting on Dec. 8.
    If all four school districts agree on a plan, and if that plan is approved by the education commissioner, currently Angela Faherty, the result will be a new Regional School Unit (RSU). That consolidation from four entities into one — an RSU — could result in job cuts. Jim Rier, director of finance and operations for the Department of Education (DOE) said the RSU will have one superintendent, one business office and an anticipated cut in administrative overhead expenses.
    Rier stressed that the new RSU must be operational, not just approved, by July 1, 2011 and agreed that such transitions have challenges. “Their work has intensified, they are following the process and they are making pretty good progress to take it to the voters.”
    Rier also stated that since each step takes time, a referendum on a DOE-approved plan should be held by the end of January 2011 so that school board members can be elected and a budget can be approved before the July deadline. It is not known if Faherty will continue as education commissioner after Governor-elect Paul LePage takes the oath of office in January.
    According to Doe, who said he has been visiting and consulting with local school officials, reaction to the RSU concept at this point has been very positive. The consolidation would affect more than 800 students. Doe had retired from SAD 25 earlier this year, but was asked to return and shepherd the process which has been going on for about 18 months.
    The four school boards have been attempting to avoid penalties and comply with the 2008 School Administrative Reorganization Law that purports to improve educational opportunities for students and cut expenses through consolidation. Doe stated that if the plan is not operational by the deadline, SAD 25 as well as the other school districts could face penalties. Rier stated there is only one way to extend the compliance deadline beyond July 1: “The law would have to be changed.”