School consolidation: What is the real cost?

By Skip Greenlaw
    Maine citizens will vote on school consolidation plans in communities all over the state of Maine between November 4, 2008 until January 31, 2009. The outcome of those votes may influence whether the members of the 124th Legislature will vote to repeal the controversial law. The law was originally passed to reduce the cost of education throughout the Maine. However, while there may be some cost savings, the law will result in increased spending for education in many of these communities which are voting on the plans.
    There are some important questions which every citizen ought to ask before they vote on school consolidation.
    The most important question is: does this plan accurately outline all the expenses as well as the savings? Are these costs appropriately quantified by the local committee which has developed the plan? The primary additional expense, but not necessarily the only one, resolves around the potential increase in collective bargaining costs. Are these costs documented in the plan? The Daily Bulldog, a publication of Franklin County, reported on Oct. 17, 2008 that “for MSAD 9’s towns, $ 1,000,000. more will be needed to be raised locally, while MSAD 58 will pay much less if budgets all were to remain the same. Jay residents can expect to pay $12,000 less while the MSAD 36 towns of Livermore and Livermore Falls will each pay $6000 more.” These cost shifts are a result of different state valuations in towns.
    The law provides for a loss of some school subsidy if voters do not approve the plans calling for consolidation in their area. The essence of this provision of the law is if you do not agree with what Augusta thinks is best for your community, you must pay a penalty for voting “No”. Talk about coercion and blackmail!
    This provision of law is simply unfair, undemocratic, and un-American. There is some indication that members of some communities may be voting for their plans to avoid the penalty. Seven members of the SAD 71 (Kennebunk/Kennebunkport) school committee released a statement supporting their plan because it would cost those two communities and Arundel, their partner, $757,449. in lost subsidy if the plan fails. On the other side of the coin, there are some leaders in their communities who are advocating a “No” vote on consolidation plans even though they face significant loss of subsidy. The Franklin County superintendents are one such group. Potential loss of school subsidy in Falmouth is $490,724; Kittery, $861,745; York, $1,115,290; and MSAD 17 (Norway), $691,372. According to the Department of Education, the maximum loss of school subsidy is $43,255,789. A complete list of loss of school subsidy may be accessed on the Web at http://www.maine.gov/education/reorg/penalties.html.
    The Maine Coalition to Save Schools filed a petition with the Bureau of Elections on Friday, Oct. 17, 2008 with 61,124 signatures to repeal the school consolidation law enacted by the Maine Legislature in June 2007. When the Secretary of State certifies that there is a minimum of 55,087 signatures, the petition will be forwarded to members of the new legislature for their consideration. If the legislature enacts the petition and overrides an expected veto by Gov. Baldacci, the law will be repealed. If they do not enact the petition or do not override the veto, the petition will be voted by the people of Maine in public referendum in 2009.
    Many community members from all across Maine have already indicated that many local plans will not be approved by local voters. We contend that, while there are minimal cost savings to consolidation, there are significant additional expenses which will be incurred. Voting for consolidation because of the fear of loss of school subsidy, while a real concern, is a victory for those who wrote this discriminatory and unfair law. We need to stand up to Augusta and tell them that the school consolidation law must be repealed. The best way that we know to communicate that message will be to vote “No” on school consolidation plans.
    Skip Greenlaw is Chair of the Maine Coalition to Save Schools, lives in Stonington, and is a member of the Deer Isle-Stonington School Committee.