|
|
|
1/16/09
|
1 comment
School merger finds optimism in Glenburn
GLENBURN, Maine — Residents expressed concerns and frustrations but also optimism Wednesday night about a proposal to merge with the Orono and Veazie school systems. On Jan. 27, residents of the three towns will weigh in on a consolidation plan crafted by a committee of residents and town officials during the past year. No schools would be closed or programs eliminated under the plan, which would take effect July 1, and students from Glenburn and Veazie would retain the right to choose which high school to attend. Voters in all three towns would elect members to serve on the regional school unit’s board of directors. Committee members said the new Riverside Regional School Unit likely would save money by eliminating some administrative positions and increasing efficiency in maintenance and transportation. Merging also would allow the three towns to share some services as well as negotiate one collective bargaining agreement. However, consolidation committee members acknowledged during an informational session with 60 to 70 Glenburn residents on Wednesday that it is unclear how much money merging will save the state or the towns. “We’re probably not going to realize any cost savings right off the bat. It’s going to be long term,” said Glenburn’s Blake Fryer. The prospect of a state-coerced consolidation has sparked tensions in communities throughout Maine, and Glenburn is no different. Speakers expressed concerns about loss of local control of school grounds, possible curriculum changes and the impacts on school choice. Committee members tried to reassure speakers that not much will change for students and their families, however. “Everything will continue to operate in the same manner, the only difference is it will be part of an RSU [Regional School Unit] instead of a town,” said Glenburn member and co-chairwoman Cheryl Hoover. But several speakers said they were uncomfortable with all of the uncertainty. “We hope to save money but we might not. We think we’re going to know what it will look like, but we’re not sure,” said one speaker. Throughout the meeting, committee members echoed some of those frustrations and criticized the state for requiring consolidation. But they pointed out that if Glenburn residents reject the consolidation plan, the town could be subject to an estimated $108,000 penalty the first year and then could be left with less appealing merger options. Both committee members and audience members said they felt the three towns were a good fit for one another with similar commitments to offering students quality education. “I truly feel the options the community has are very narrow, and I feel this is the best option,” said Glenburn superintendent Doug Smith. Near the end of the meeting, parent and Glenburn Town Council member Michael O’Connor asked the committee for a show of hands of who plans to support the merger on Jan. 27. Despite the apparent misgivings of some about the consolidation concept, all hands went up. O’Connor said afterward the committee had won his vote. The full plan is available for viewing at www.orono.u87.k12. me.us/RPC/index.html.
Comments
I'm having a difficult time with Glenburn's up-coming vote which would consolidate our school department with Orono & Veazie's. All fine educational districts, but voting yes will mean...
* Losing local constrol of what Glenburn values for Glenburn's students K-12. This is exactly why Glenburn separated from a union with Hermon about 10 years ago. Gaining independence was a difficult DOE process back then, and will be an impossible option after consolidating. (Discovered by two Southern Maine RSU's who asked to reorganize communities within the two RSU's and were told "no."
* When a decision is made by the RSU Board, Orono would get approx 60%, Glenburn 40%, Veazie 10% of the votes. When difficult decisions re: sending grades to other schools, closing schools, building schools, updating facilities, curriculum changes, purchasing textbook series,and program cuts - Orono's voice will dominate with 60% of the vote.
* Approx. $60,000 in lawyer and assessor fees. I just found out about this cost for consolidating. There will most likely be more added costs to consolidate. The RSU committee has struggled with not knowing what financial burdens will come. A clear financial picture has been unattainable. We "may not realize cost-savings right off the bat," but should it cost us more money?
* Additional cost$$$ to make Glenburn teachers/staff equal to Veazie's. I believe Veazie's salary pay schedule is about $2,000 more per step than Glenburn's. The increased salary costs alone will be MORE than the state penalty for not consolidating.
*Keeping school choice until outside influences make it impossible to maintain.
*"No schools would be closed or programs eliminated under the plan" - in year one. The law provides that this won't happen during the first year of consolidation. As consolidation proves to be more expensive, teachers will be laid off, programs elliminated, and Maine schools closed under the plans each year.
*Our taxes will go up. No one can tell you how much taxes will increase if consolidation happens due to the unknown factors - it is unpredictable. As a Glenburn resident, I have been comforted that each year our Glenburn School Committee has been able to closely predict and build educational programs around a sound budget.
Granted this is based on the penalty for the first year of non-consolidating, but why is the state unwilling to give us the information needed for future years? Perhaps if this penalty isn't enough to back us into a corner to vote yes, the state will make the next penalty larger? So, let's wait and find out. What do we have to lose?
I, for one, am tired of teaching students to "Do what's right, even when it isn't the popular thing to do," when our own Maine Department of Education is pressuring us with penalties. Applying pressure and forcing us to agree to what we know isn't cost-saving or proven to be in the best interest of our school community is wrong. "Do what's right, even when it isn't the popular thing to do."
I don't have all the answers and our committee members have done an incredible amount of work on this subject(BRAVO!) If the first year would cost more than the state penalty, we should wait it out until year two and weigh what is right for the Glenburn Community - financially AND educationally.
In summary, I'm left with the question... Why would I vote for consolidating when I don't know HOW MUCH MORE it will cost, and we'll lose local control to educate Glenburn's children?
I'm voting "NO." You'll see me at the Glenburn Town Office on Tuesday, January 27th.
|
|
