MEA’s Revealing Opinon on Consolidation

The latest Education Intelligence Agency Communique picked up on the piece I wrote criticizing the Maine Education Association leadership for ignoring school consolidation.  The EIA noted that the MEA has failed to “articulate a position on school district consolidation”.  Another MEA, the Michigan Education Association, does not seem to be so tight lipped on the issue.  The Michigan EA came to a logical conclusion that would help their members and school systems alike.  Their solution? Don’t consolidate unless the savings is really there and don’t arbitrarily shove districts together.  Sound familiar?  But the MEA (When I use this term further it will now reference the Maine EA unless otherwise noted) had not been completely silent on consolidation.  Thanks to some searching by Brian Hubbell from MDIschools.net, an email stating the MEA’s position on school consolidation has surfaced.

Sen. David Trahan Supports Yes on 3

Repeal consolidation and treat all Mainers fairly

Sen. David Trahan (R-Waldoboro)

Question 3 on the November ballot asks Maine voters to reject the recently enacted law to consolidate Maine schools. This law was over-sold and corrupted by political horse trading, and in time will destroy what remains of Maine’s rural education system.

I ask you to vote Yes on Question 3 to repeal this failed mandate because it isn’t fair and hasn’t worked.

Researchers at the University of Maine have studied the last consolidation effort in this state, the Sinclair Act, and its effect on administration in the 1950s and ‘60s. They found that from 1950 to 1980 administrative costs escalated 406 percent.

From 1960 to 2003, 45 major studies of 792 school consolidations nationwide reported savings for just four systems.

So why consolidate? Power. Consolidation centralizes control in Augusta. Fewer school boards, superintendents and local education advocates mean more state control of education policy and funding.

Setting The Record Straight On Question 3

From Yes on 3

Why Maine should vote YES to Repeal the School Consolidation Law

Repealing the law will not cost Maine any money. There was a $36 million reduction in the state budget for education. That money was cut from schools last year and it’s not coming back to the classroom or going anywhere else.

55% of Maine students are in 66 school districts that are unaffected by this law. They are exempt from consolidating because of size, geography, or other special exemptions granted by the DoE.

Yes On 3: “We can’t afford these kinds of savings.”

Dick Dyer, a member of the Maine Coalition to Save Schools, believes the current school consolidation law should be repealed.  Large districts, with possibly the most room for savings, were given exemptions because the state government knew they would refuse reorganization.  Small communities’ concerns were brushed aside and they were slapped with penalties like disobedient children.  Governor Baldacci promised large savings from consolidation.  The estimated $36.5 million savings has not been seen.  Many communities have seen unfair cost increases.  Dyer highlights in his release why this sort of “savings” is not something cash strapped communities can afford.  Please read Dick Dyer’s full statement after the cut.

Yes On 3: Why You Should Vote Yes on 3 to Repeal Consolidation

Skip Greenlaw of Yes on 3 has released an announcement supporting a repeal of the current consolidation late.  Greenlaw outlines why the law has failed, why it is unfair, how it is too rigid, how it has not saved money but cost communities more, and what the solution to the current law is.  Please read Greenlaw’s full statement after the cut and remember to vote early if you can or on November 3rd.

Repeal School Consolidation NOW

Numbers don’t say much by themselves. People can take a set of numbers and tell a story. Those who want to keep the current school consolidation law want to tell you a story. They want to tell you consolidation is working. 85% of Maine students are in districts already in compliance with consolidation law. A repeal of consolidation law will cost taxpayers $37 million every year, supporters say. Consolidation supporters want to construct a story around those numbers to scare you into believing a repeal will cause more programs to be slashed. When you look at the truth behind their we find their story is flawed.  School consolidation has not worked and must be repealed.