March 28, 2024
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SADs to float Penquis region high school idea

MILO – School Administrative District 41 Superintendent David Walker and his fellow administrators in the Penquis region feel is it is better to push for regionalization on their own terms than to have it forced upon them.

Although SADs 41, 4, 68, and 46 have made great strides in recent years to regionalize certain aspects of operations to better serve their students, the administrators said that further efforts might be necessary in the wake of declining enrollments in the region.

Toward that end, Superintendents John Dirnbauer of SAD 68, Lester Butler of SAD 46, Paul Stearns of SAD 4 and Walker have requested a meeting with Commissioner of Education Susan Gendron and other state officials, to discuss the possible creation of a regional high school. A letter requesting the meeting was hand-delivered this week to Gendron.

The administrators envision a state-of-the-art, comprehensive high school that encompasses vocational education and technology that would serve high school students from all four districts. Directors in each of the four districts supported unanimously a resolution to explore the possibility for such a project.

Initial discussions have been held about a regional high school, but each district has issues that must be resolved. The superintendents hope Gendron will appoint a neutral person to help resolve these issues, Dirnbauer said.

If a regional high school were to be constructed it would have to be in a location that would be convenient to all four sending school districts, according to Dirnbauer.

Walker believes the four districts are taking a leading role in regionalization, an effort that is being widely promoted by Gov. John Baldacci and Gendron.

“In Piscataquis County over the next 10 years, there’s going to be significant changes in enrollment, so we need to be open to all ideas,” Walker said. This move isn’t driven by finances, although the districts will receive less subsidy for fewer students; rather, the issue is how best to serve students, he said. “It’s about offering a much broader range of programs for the same amount of money.”

A comprehensive high school in Piscataquis County that offers a full range of student programs could well be a marketing tool for economic development, as well, Walker said. He said he recognizes that there is value to the county’s small schools and that good things are being done in them. But it is going to be more difficult for these schools to meet the state requirements regarding credits for high school diplomas and Maine’s Learning Results, he explained.

To serve students better, three of the four districts have adopted a common high school schedule and calendar, which will allow these schools to expand video-audio course offerings, among other things.

In addition, the four districts combined bids for fuel, food services, milk, and supplies, and have coordinated some staff development. Likely candidates for further regionalization may be special education efforts and a central office for administration of the four districts, according to Walker. “You’ve got to open the door for these regional efficiencies,” Walker said.


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