Transcript Document

THE NEW STATE OF
MAINE SCHOOL
CONSOLIDATION LAW
JUNE 2007
OPENING DISCLAIMER…
 IN A NUTSHELL, …DUE TO THE INCREDIBLY HARD WORK OF A
SMALL GROUP OF LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND
CONCERNED CITIZENS FROM OUR TOWNS DURING THE FINAL
DAYS AND HOURS LEADING UP TO THE ENACTMENT OF THIS
NEW LAW, THERE IS NOW ENOUGH LEEWAY IN THE FINAL
LANGUAGE OF THE LAW ITSELF WHICH ALLOWS A PLAN TO BE
DEVELOPED BY OUR REORGANIZATIONAL COMMITTEE TO
PROVIDE US WITH THE OPPORTUNITES TO MAINTAIN TO A
VERY LARGE DEGREE THE PRESENT STRUCTURE,
GOVERNANCE AND FUNDING FOR OUR SCHOOLS…
 (SPECIAL THANKS TO BRIAN HUBBELL FOR HIS TIRELESS
WORK ON THE MDI SCHOOLS WEBSITE ON THIS ISSUE)
http://sparkflashgap.net/School/SchoolConsolidationReferences.html
 WHAT FOLLOWS IS A LENGTHY PRESENTATION OF THE
ACTUAL BILL ITSELF, WHICH IS INTENDED TO BE AN
ACCURATE SUMMARY OF THE DETAILS, AND TO PROVIDE A
MECHANISM TO CLARIFY ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY
HAVE AS TO HOW THIS NEW LAW WILL AFFECT ALL MEMBERS
OF OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY
THE INTENT OF THE LAW
It is declared the policy of the State to provide sufficient resources to support the
reorganization of school administrative units into regional, state-approved units of
school administration to provide:

Equitable educational opportunity for all students to demonstrate achievement of the content
standards of the State’s system of learning results
 Rigorous academic programs that meet the requirements of the system of learning results and
that prepare students for college, careers and citizenship
 Uniformity in the delivery of academic programs that meet the requirements of the system of
learning results
 A greater uniformity of tax rates for the support of schools
 The efficient use of limited resources in order to achieve long-term sustainability and
predictability in the support of public schools
 Effective use of the public funds expended for the support of public schools by means of:
A.The creation of cost-efficient organizational structures and
B. Administrative structures and efficiencies that permit the organized and regular delivery of
uniform state-sponsored professional development programs to promote coherence and
consistency in the understanding and application of the State’s standards-based system for
continuous improvement in student achievement
 The preservation of opportunities for choice of schools
 The maximization of opportunities to deliver services that can more effectively be provided in
larger districts than from within smaller units or individual schools
WILL SCHOOL UNION 98 BECOME
REGIONAL SCHOOL UNIT #8???
A REVIEW OF OUR PRESENT SCHOOL
STRUCTURE
1.
2.
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7.
SCHOOL UNION 98 CONSISTS OF SEVEN TOWNS WITH NINE SCHOOLS (MDI
HIGH SCHOOL, CONNERS-EMERSON, PEMETIC, MOUNT DESERT ELEMENTARY,
TREMONT, ISLESFORD, CRANBERRY, FENCHBORO AND SWANS ISLAND). UNION
98 SCHOOLS DEVELOP TEN SEPARATE BUDGETS IN ORDER TO OPERATE THE
VARIOUS SCHOOLS
THE UNION 98 OFFICE EXISTS MAINLY TO PROVIDE SUPERINTENDENT
SERVICES TO ALL OF THE MEMBER SCHOOLS…THIS OFFICE ALSO PROVIDES
SERVICES TO SCHOOLS IN THE AREAS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, CURRICULUM,
AND TECHNOLOGY
EACH SCHOOL HAS ITS OWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND THE HIGH SCHOOL HAS
A SEPARATE BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO MAINTAIN THE BUILDING
THE STRUCTURES FOR SCHOOL GOVERNANCE INCLUDE SIX MUNICIPALITIES,
ONE CSD (MDI HIGH SCHOOL) AND ONE SAD (SWANS ISLAND), ALL OF WHICH
MAKE UP A SCHOOL UNION
THE HIGH SCHOOL CSD HAS FOUR MEMBER TOWNS (BAR HARBOR, MOUNT
DESERT, SOUTHWEST AND TREMONT) AND IS GOVERNED BY A PRIVATE AND
SPECIAL ACT OF THE LEGISLATURE DATING BACK TO 1963
MDI HIGH SCHOOL ENROLLS APPROXIMATELY 150 TUITION STUDENTS…FROM
UNION 98 (CRANBERRY, FRENCHBORO AND SWANS) AND FROM SURROUNDING
TOWNS (TRENTON, LAMOINE AND HANCOCK)
THE NEW CONSOLIDATION LAW WILL DISSOLVE ALL OF OUR SCHOOL
STRUCTURES NO LATER THAN JULY 1, 2009
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEW
SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION LAW:
• ALL SCHOOLS MUST REORGANIZE AND BECOME
REGIONAL SCHOOL UNITS (RSUs) BY JULY 1, 2009
• THE INTENT OF THE LAW IS TO REORGANIZE THE 290
PRESENT SCHOOL UNITS IN MAINE TO A TARGET
NUMBER OF 80 REGIONAL SCHOOL UNITS (RSUs)
ACROSS THE STATE OF MAINE
• LAST MINUTE AMMENDMENTS TO THE PROPOSED LAW
BEFORE FINAL APPROVAL WERE INTENDED TO ALLOW
FOR GREATER LOCAL CONTROL OF THE FORMATION
AND OPERATION OF NEW REGIONAL SCHOOL UNITS
• CHANGES WILL NOT BE IN EFFECT UNTIL AFTER THE
2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR
REQUIRED TIMELINES:
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THE DOE WILL CONVENE PUBLIC MEETINGS IN THE 26 VOCATIONAL REGIONS
BETWEEN JUNE 18TH AND JULY 15, 2007 (JUNE 28TH, 7 PM AT THE HOLIDAY INN IN
ELLSWORTH) TO EXPLAIN THE PROCESS FOR REORGANIZATION OF SCHOOLS
INTO RSUs AND PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR THE FORMATION OF REGIONAL
ORGANIZATION COMMITTEES
ALL SCHOOL UNITS MUST FILE A LETTER OF INTENT TO REORGANIZE WITH
POTENTIAL PARTNERS OR FILE AN ALTERNATE PLAN BY AUGUST 31, 2007
A REORGANIZATION PLAN MAY BE SUBMITTED TO THE DOE BY DECEMBER 1,
2007 (THE FAST TRACK PLAN)
THE DOE MAY ASK FOR REVISIONS TO THE SUBMIITTED PLAN BY DECEMBER 15,
2007
IF A PLAN IS APPROVED BY THE DOE, THEN THE PLAN WILL GO TO THE VOTERS
OF EACH POTENTIAL MEMBER TOWN FOR A REFERENDUM ON THE PROPOSED
NEW RSU ON JANUARY 15, 2008 (by majority vote in each town)
IF THE PLAN IS APPROVED BY THE VOTERS, THEN THE NEW RSU WILL BE
CERTIFIED BY THE COMMISSIONER AND COMMENCE OPERATION ON JULY 1, 2008
AFTER HIRING A NEW SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE RSU THAT SPRING AND
DEVELOPING A NEW RSU BUDGET FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR
A REFERENDUM MAY ALSO BE HELD ON JUNE 10, 2008 OR NOVEMBER 8, 2008
WHICH WOULD ALLOW A NEW RSU TO COMMENCE OPERATION ON JULY 1, 2009
SCHOOL UNITS THAT DO NOT CONSOLIDATE BY JULY 1, 2009 WILL BE DEEMED
TO BE “NON-CONFORMING” AND WILL BE SUBJECT TO PENALTIES AS SPELLED
OUT IN THE NEW LAW
CHOOSING PARTNERS:
• TOWNS WILL BE ALLOWED TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN
PARTNERS FOR CONSOLIDATION
• THE “MAPS” THAT WERE RECENTLY DISTRIBUTED BY
THE DOE WERE ONLY MEANT TO BE A STARTING POINT
FOR “CONVERSATIONS”
• THESE MAPS SHOWED THE TOWNS ON MOUNT DESERT
ISLAND JOINING WITH THE TOWN OF TRENTON TO FORM
A NEW RSU…THE OFFSHORE ISLAND SCHOOLS WERE
NOT INCLUDED IN THE MAP FROM THE DOE
• TOWNS WILL BEGIN THE DISCUSSION OF WHO TO
PARTNER WITH DURING THE COMING SUMMER MONTHS
AFTER THE FIRST INFORMATIONAL PUBLIC
REORGANIZATION MEETINGS ARE HELD THIS LATE JUNE
OR EARLY JULY
WHAT ABOUT THE ISLANDS?:
• THE OFFSHORE ISLANDS NOT CONNECTED BY
A BRIDGE TO THE MAINLAND (ISLESFORD,
CRANBERRY, FRENCHBORO AND SWANS) ARE
SPECIFICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE
CONSOLIDATION PROCESS BY LAW
• THEY WILL NEED TO EITHER FILE AN
ALTERNATIVE PLAN TO DEAL WITH THEIR
REORGANIZATION AS RSU’S OR THEY MAY
CONSIDER ORGANIZING WITH THE TOWNS ON
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND WHEN THAT RSU IS
FORMED
• THEIR PLANS MUST INCLUDE A METHOD TO
ACCESS SUPERINTENDENT OFFICE SERVICES
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THE REORGANIZATION COMMITTEE:
• GUIDELINES FOR THE FORMATION OF THE
REORGANIZATION COMMITTEE WILL BE DEVELOPED BY
THE DOE
• THE COMMITTEE WILL MOST LIKELY INCLUDE
REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH SCHOOL BOARD, THE
MUNICIPALITIES AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL
PUBLIC
• THESE COMMITTEES WILL BE FORMED AFTER THE
INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS ARE HELD DURING JULY IN
EACH VOCATIONAL REGION
• THE REORGANIZATION COMMITTEE MUST HOLD ONE OR
MORE PUBLIC MEETINGS DURING THE PROCESS TO
GATHER CITIZEN INPUT
REQUIREMENTS OF AN RSU PLAN:
A reorganization plan must include:
(1) The units of school administration to be included in the proposed reorganized regional school unit;
(2) The size, composition and apportionment of the governing body;
(3) The method of voting of the governing body;
(4) The composition, powers and duties of any local school committees to be created;
(5) The disposition of real and personal school property;
(6) The disposition of existing school indebtedness and lease-purchase obligations
(7) The assignment of school personnel contracts, school collective bargaining agreements and other school contractual
obligations;
(8) The disposition of existing school funds and existing financial obligations, including undesignated fund balances, trust
funds, reserve funds and other funds appropriated for school purposes;
(9) A transition plan that addresses the development of a budget for the first school year of the reorganized unit and interim
personnel policies;
(10) Documentation of the public meeting or public meetings held to prepare or review the reorganization plan;
(11) An explanation of how units that approve the reorganization plan will proceed if one or more of the proposed members of
the regional school unit fail to approve the plan;
(12) An estimate of the cost savings to be achieved by the formation of a regional school unit and how these savings will be
achieved; and
(13) Such other matters as the governing bodies of the school administrative units in existence on the effective date of this
chapter may determine to be necessary.
REORGANIZATION PARAMETERS:
In order for the plan to be approved by the commissioner, the governing bodies of school administrative units shall
work within the following parameters:
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(1) The proposed regional school unit must serve not fewer than 2,500 students, except where circumstances relating to the following
factors justify an exception:
(a) Geography, including physical proximity and the size of the current school administrative unit;
(b) Demographics, including student enrollment trends and the composition and nature of communities in the regional
school unit;
(c) Economics, including existing collaborations to be preserved or enhanced and opportunities to deliver commodities
and services to be maximized;
(d) Transportation;
(e) Population density including the rural nature of our communities; or
(f) Other unique circumstances including the need to preserve existing or developing relationships, meet the needs of
students, maximize educational opportunities for students and ensure equitable access to rigorous programs for all students.
When circumstances justify an exception to the size requirement of 2,500 students, the unit must serve as close to 2,500
students as possible and in no case, except for coastal islands and schools operated by tribal school committees, may it serve fewer
than 1,200 students. School districts that are deemed to be high performing and efficient (5 systems state-wide--Hampden, Cape
Elizabeth, Yarmouth, and Kingfield--must have at least three units in this category) are exempt from the requirement to consolidate
(2) The plan must provide comprehensive programming for all students from kindergarten to grade 12 and must include at least one
publicly supported secondary school.
(3) The plan may not displace teachers or students or close any schools existing and operating during the school year immediately
preceding reorganization
(4) A school unit may be allowed to continue at its present size if after due diligence is unable to meet the 2500 student enrollment
requirement due to the reorganization of geographically proximate communities (donut-hole rule)
(5) Each reorganization plan must demonstrate how it plans to reorganize administrative functions, duties and non-instructional
personnel so that the projected expenditures for system administration, transportation, special education and facilities and
maintenance will not have an adverse impact on the instructional program
ADJUSTMENTS TO STATE
SUBSIDY:
•
AS PART OF THIS NEW CONSOLIDATION LAW, AND IN
ORDER TO SAVE THE STATE GOVERNMENT
APPROXIMATELY 36 MILLION DOLLARS, THE
FOLLOWING REDUCTIONS WILL BE MADE IN STATE
SUBSIDY AMOUNTS BEGINNING IN 2008-2009:
1.
2.
3.
4.
A 5% REDUCTION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
A 5% REDUCTION IN OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
A 5% REDUCTION IN TRANSPORTATION
A 50% REDUCTION IN THE CENTRAL OFFICE COSTS
RSU GOVERNANCE AND VOTING
POWER:
• NEW RSU’s WILL BE GOVERNED BY AN ELECTED
DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
• THE BOARD MUST INCLUDE AT LEAST ONE
REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH MUNICIPALITY
• VOTING POWER MUST FOLLOW THE ONE PERSON-ONE
VOTE PRINCIPLE AND DIRECTORS MAY BE ELECTED BY
COMPARABLE SUB DISTRICTS, EQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF
1000 VOTES BY POPULATION SIZE OF THE TOWN, OR BY
A PROCESS OF AT-LARGE VOTING IN THE ENTIRE
DISTRICT
• THE DISTRICT BOARD IS ALLOWED TO FORM LOCAL
SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND ASSIGN THEM POWERS AND
DUTIES AS THEY SO CHOOSE TO INCLUDE LOCAL
VOTING POWER ON EACH TOWN’S K-8 PORTION OF THE
DISTRICT BUDGET
WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR SCHOOL
COMMITTEES AND BOARDS AND OUR
PRESENT UNION STRUCTURE?
• ALL BOARDS AND COMMITTEES CEASE TO EXIST NO
LATER THAN JULY 1, 2009
• THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NEW RSU WILL
TAKE OVER THE OPERATION OF ALL OF THE SCHOOLS
WHEN THE NEW RSU IS CERTIFIED
• ALL THE SCHOOL STRUCTURES NOW IN PLACE EXCEPT
THE HIGH SCHOOL CSD, WHICH WAS CREATED BY
PRIVATE AND SPECIAL ACT OF THE LEGISLATURE IN
1963, WILL BE DISBANDED WHEN THE NEW RSU IS IN
PLACE
THE NEW REGIONAL BOARD’S
POWERS AND DUTIES:
•
ONCE THE NEW RSU IS CERTIFED AND OPERATIONAL, THE
NEWLY ELECTED BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL HAVE THE
FOLLOWING POWERS AND DUTIES BY LAW:
1.
2.
MAY SELECT AN UNOFFICIAL NAME FOR THE RSU
MAY ELECT A FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THREE OR MORE MEMBERS WHO MUST
BE DIRECTORS
SHALL AUTHORIZE AND OVERSEE THE OPERATION OF SCHOOLS WITHIN THE
RSU
MAY PURCHASE LAND FOR NEW SCHOOLS
SHALL DEVELOP BYLAWS FOR THE REGULATION OF THE AFFAIRS OF THE RSU
MAY ACCEPT AND RECEIVE GIFTS OF MONEY OR PROPERTY FOR
EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES
MAY CREATE LOCAL SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SPECIFY THEIR POWERS AND
DUTIES WITHIN THE RSU
SHALL MAINTAIN A REGIONAL SCHOOL UNIT THAT MAINTAINS A PROGRAM
THAT INCLUDES KINDERGARTEN TO GRADE 12
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THE BUDGETING PROCESS:
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AN RSU BUDGET (OR BUDGETS) MUST BE APPROVED AT A DISTRICT BUDGET
MEETING (OR MEETINGS)
THE RSU BUDGET(S) MUST BE APPROVED BY A REFERENDUM VOTE (OR A
SERIES OF REFERENDUMS) BEGINNING NEXT SCHOOL YEAR, REGARDLESS OF
WHETHER A SCHOOL UNIT AGREES TO CONSOLIDATE OR NOT
BUDGETING FOR THE K-8 PROGRAM MAY BE DEVELOPED, APPROVED AND
ASSESSED IN THE TOWNS WHERE EACH OF THE K-8 SCHOOLS OPERATE
THE HIGH SCHOOL PORTION OF THE RSU BUDGET WILL STILL FOLLOW THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVAL AS DETAILED IN THE PRIVATE AND SPECIAL ACT
THAT CREATED THE HIGH SCHOOL IN 1966 WITH THE ADDITION OF A
REFERENDUM VOTE IN ALL OF THE COMMUNITES THAT FORM THE CSD TO BE
HELD WITHIN 10 DAYS OF THE CSD ANNUAL MEETING
THE PORTION OF THE RSU BUDGET THAT IS SHARED BY ALL OF THE
COMMUNITIES (THE CENTRAL OFFICE BUDGET FOR SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION,
FORMERLY THE UNION 98 OFFICE BUDGET) MUST BE APPROVED AT A DISTRICT
WIDE BUDGET MEETING WITH A REFERENDUM TO FOLLOW FOR FINAL APPROVAL
BUDGET TRANSPARENCY:
•
THE RSU BUDGET (OR BUDGETS) MUST BE PRESENTED IN AN EPS
COST CENTERED FORMAT WITH EACH AREA COMPARED TO THAT OF
A HIGH PERFORMING RSU OF SIMILAR SIZE:
1.
2.
3.
4.
REGULAR INSTRUCTION
SPECIAL EDUCATION
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
OTHER INSTRUCTION (SUMMER SCHOOL AND EXTRACURRICULAR
5. STUDENT AND STAFF SUPPORT
6. SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION
7. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
8. TRANSPORTATION AND BUSSES
9. FACILITIES MAINTENANCE
10. DEBT SERVICE AND OTHER COMMITMENTS
11. ALL OTHER EXPENDITURES, INCUDING SCHOOL LUNCH
NOTE: THE RSU BOARD MAY AUTHORIZE NO MORE THAN A 5% TRANSFER
BETWEEN THESE COST CENTERS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR WITHOUT
VOTER APPROVAL
COST SHARING BETWEEN TOWNS:
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THE K-8 PORTION OF OF THE RSU BUDGET MAY BE RAISED AND
ASSESSED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IN EACH TOWN
THE SHARED DISTRICT OFFICE SECTION OF THE RSU BUDGET MUST BE
SHARED BY THE PROPORTIONAL ENROLLMENT PERCENTAGE OF EACH
TOWN MAKING UP THE NEW RSU (VERY CLOSE TO THE WAY THE UNION
BUDGET COSTS ARE NOW ASSESSED TO EACH TOWN)
THE HIGH SCHOOL PORTION OF THE RSU BUDGET MAY BE SHARED
BETWEEN ALL TOWNS THAT MAKE UP THE CSD USING THE 33%
ENROLLMENT AND 67% VALUATION FORMULA THAT THE PRIVATE AND
SPECIAL ACT REQUIRES UNLESS THIS FORMULA IS MODIFED AT A
LATER DATE
ALL TOWNS MUST RAISE A MINIMUM OF 2 MILS OF VALUATION TO
SUPPORT THE EDUCATION OF THE CHILDREN IN THE TOWNS THAT
FORM THE NEW RSU (THIS MAY BE A PROBLEM FOR THE CRANBERRY
ISLES AND POSSIBLY MOUNT DESERT) A PRIVATE AND SPECIAL ACT
MAY BE NECESSARY TO DEAL WITH THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM AS
PART OF OUR RSU PLAN
TRANSFER OF TEACHERS AND
EMPLOYEES:
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ALL TEACHERS AND SCHOOL EMPLOYEES MUST BE TRANSFERRED
AND EMPLOYED BY THE NEW REGIONAL SCHOOL UNIT WITH NEITHER
A DECREASE OR AN INCREASE IN THE RIGHTS AND BENEFITS OF THE
TRANSFERRED EMPLOYEES OR EMPLOYER
ALL COLLECTIVE BARGAINING CONTRACTS WILL BE HONORED UNTIL
THEIR EXPIRATION AND THEN A NEW COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AGREEMENT WILL BE NEGOTIATED WITH THE NEW RSU WHICH SHALL
BE CONSIDERED A SINGLE EMPLOYER
AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE AFTER REORGANIZATION OF AN RSU, ALL
PREVIOUS BARGAINING UNITS MUST BE STRUCUTRED ON A REGIONAL
SCHOOL UNIT BASIS (“COMMON CONTRACT”)
SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACTS WILL BE TRANSFERRED OVER TO THE
NEW RSU AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL DETERMINE THE
FORMER SUPERINTENDENT’S DUTIES WITH THE NEW REGIONAL
SCHOOL UNIT
SCHOOL OWNERSHIP, ASSETS
AND DEBT:
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NEW RSU WILL DECIDE
WHICH SCHOOLS ARE NEEDED FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE
CHILDREN IN THE NEW REGION AND THEN ASK THE MUNICIPAL
OFFICERS OF EACH TOWN TO TRANSFER TITLE OF THE
SCHOOL OVER TO THE NEW REGIONAL SCHOOL UNIT (THIS
MAY BE A PROBLEMATIC ISSUE, BUT WE HOPE TO ALLOW THIS
REQUIREMENT TO BE MET BY A LONG-TERM LEASE
ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWNS AND THE RSU IN OUR
PROPOSED PLAN FOR REORGANIZATION)
ALL PRESENT ASSESTS AND BALANCES IN THE ACCOUNTS OF
THE INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS WILL BE TRANSFERRED OVER AND
BECOME THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE NEW RSU
LOCAL ONLY DEBT WILL REMAIN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE
TOWN THAT ESTABLISHED THIS OBLIGATION UNLESS THE NEW
RSU PLAN INCLUDES SHARING THE DEBT BETWEEN ALL THE
TOWNS OF THE NEW RSU
CLOSING OF SCHOOLS:
• A 2/3 VOTE OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE NEW RSU WILL BE
NEEDED TO CLOSE AN INDIVIDUAL
SCHOOL
• AN INDIVIDUAL TOWN MAY VOTE TO
KEEP THE SCHOOL IN QUESTION OPEN,
BUT WILL BE SOLEY RESPONSIBLE FOR
THE ADDED COSTS THAT WOULD HAVE
BEEN SAVED IF THE SCHOOL WERE TO
HAVE BEEN CLOSED
SCHOOL CHOICE?:
• STUDENTS LIVING IN COMMUNITES THAT HAD A
CHOICE OF HIGH SCHOOLS BEFORE THE NEW
RSU WAS FORMED MAY STILL EXERCISE THIS
SCHOOL CHOICE OPTION (CRANBERRY,
FENCHBORO, SWANS, AND ANY PRESENT
UNION 92 TOWNS THAT MAY BECOME PART OF
OUR NEW RSU)
• ???BUT HOW LONG WILL THIS OPTION SURVIVE
WITH TRANSPORTATION, EQUITY AND FINANCE
ISSUES ARISING VERY QUICKLY IN THE NEW
RSU’S??
REGIONAL COLLABORATION:
•
ALL NEW RSUs WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO SEEK OUT
WAYS TO COLLABORATE ON A REGIONAL BASIS TO
REDUCE SYSTEM COSTS IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
SHARED PURCHASING OR CONTRACT AGREEMENTS
AGREEMENTS FOR SHARED STAFF OR STAFF TRAINING
AGREEMENTS TO SHARE TECHNOLOGY OR TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT
AGREEMENTS TO PROVIDE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND
SUPPORT SERVICES
AGREEMENTS TO SHARE ACCOUNTING, PAYROLL AND FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
AGREEMENTS TO COORDINATE TRANSPORTATION ROUTING AND
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
AGREEMENTS TO SHARE FOOD SERVICE PLANNING AND
PURCHASING
AGREEMENTS TO COORDINATE ENERGY AND FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT
PENALTIES FOR NON-CONFORMING
SCHOOL UNITS:
• ELIGIBILITY FOR ONLY 50% OF THE MINIMUM
STATE SUBSIDY (SPECIAL EDUCATION
REIMBURSEMENT)
• SUBSIDY AMOUNTS FOR SYSTEM
ADMINISTRATION WILL BE FURTHER CUT IN
HALF
• NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR ANY TRANSITION
ADJUSTMENTS
• LESS FAVORABLE CONSIDERATION FOR
APPROVAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR
STATE FUNDED SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION
PROJECTS
ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION:
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ORGANIZE REGIONAL INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
PROVIDE MAPS OF PROPOSED REGIONAL SCHOOL UNITS TO
SERVE AS STARTING POINTS FOR REORGANIZATION
DISCUSSIONS
PROVIDE TRAINED FACILITATORS AND FINANCIAL
INFORMATION TO ASSIST REGIONAL ORGANIZATION
COMMITTEES
REVIEW AND APPROVE OF ALL PROPOSED PLANS FOR
REORGANIZATION
CONDUCT A REVIEW OF ALL UNFUNDED STATE MANDATES AND
PREPARE A REPORT FOR THE STATE LEGISLATURE FOR
RECONSIDERATION AND ADJSUTMENT AT A LATER DATE
CONDUCT A REVIEW AND SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE
LEGISLATURE ON THE OUTCOME OF THE BUDGETARY AND
REFERENDUM PROCESS ON A STATE-WIDE BASIS
ESTABLISH CLEAR CRITERIA FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF
EFFICIENT AND HIGH PERFORMING REGIONAL SCHOOL UNITS
IN SUMMARY…HOW WILL OUR SCHOOLS
BE STRUCTURED WHEN THIS IS OVER?
• THE FUTURE STRUCTURE OF OUR SCHOOLS WILL
ULTIMATELY DEPEND ON THE ACTIONS OF OUR
REORGANIZATION COMMITTEE AND THE APPROVAL OF
OUR VOTERS AT THE FORMATION REFERENDUM
• EVEN THOUGH WE WILL BE AN RSU, THE LAW ALLOWS
ENOUGH FLEXIBILITY TO ALLOW FOR LOCAL
GOVERNANCE OF OUR SCHOOLS AS WELL AS LOCAL
DEVELOPMENT AND APPROVAL OF THE LOCAL PORTION
OF THE RSU DISTRICT BUDGET
• THE HIGH SCHOOL CSD FUNDING FORMULA WILL BE
ALLOWED TO FUNCTION MUCH AS IT HAS FOR OVER 40
YEARS DUE TO ITS CREATION BY PRIVATE AND SPECIAL
ACT OF THE LEGISLATURE
WHAT ARE UNION 98’S NEXT
STEPS?
•UNION 98 MEETING ON MONDAY, JUNE 25TH AT 7 PM TO DISCUSS THE FORMATION OF A
REORGANIZATION COMMITTEE AND EXPLORE FURTHER DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED
LAW
•VOCATIONAL REGION INFORMATIONAL MEETING IN ELLSWORTH ON THURSDAY, JUNE
28TH AT 7 PM RUN BY THE DOE TO EXPLAIN THE LAW, THE REORGANIZATION PROCESS
AND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS
•PUBLIC MEETING TO BE ANNOUNCED IN EARLY JULY TO EXPLAIN THE LAW AND WHERE
WE GO FROM HERE