Maine Legislative Update, 2007
Governor John Baldacci (D) was re-elected in November and has proposed one of the most sweeping consolidation measures in recent history. He wants to reduce the state’s 290 school districts to just 26 and eliminate superintendents and many other administrative positions in the current districts, though he wants to have a full-time principal in each school. He says the move will save the state $250 million over three years. State Superintendent of Education Sue Gendron supports the proposal and says it will decrease property taxes. (See Rural Matters blog at www.blog.ruraledu.org for more information.) The Governor’s proposal is part of his $6.4 billion biennial budget for 2007-09, which means the Appropriations Committee will review and work on the bill instead of the Education Committee. If the Appropriations Committee elects to remove the “cost savings” portion of the proposal, it will have to replace the “savings” to re-build the budget. The Education Committee will address the governance aspects of the plan. Baldacci has also called for a freeze on property tax valuations and for the state to make good on its 2004 promise to fund 55% of the costs of local public schools. Several other bills introduced would either force some other type of consolidation and/or encourage other districts to share in purchasing and some central office functions. Look for fireworks in Maine over this controversial issue.