Forum on education restructuring scheduled in Presque Isle

PRESQUE ISLE – The governor’s office has added a fifth forum – this one in Presque Isle – to discuss a proposed administrative restructuring of the state’s kindergarten through grade 12 education system.

The additional forum will be held 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, at Skyway Middle School in Presque Isle.

The event is one of several being held by Gov. John Baldacci and Education Commissioner Susan Gendron to answer questions about the Local Schools, Regional Support Initiative. The initiative proposes reducing the number of school districts in Maine from 152 to 26 by next year in an effort to cut administrative costs and shift resources toward the classroom and academics.

Three sessions were held this week – in Lewiston, Berwick and Portland.

A fourth forum scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, in Bangor has been moved to Peakes Auditorium at Bangor High School to accommodate an anticipated crowd. Sen. Joseph Perry of Bangor, who helped organize the event, and other legislators will participate. Time is being set aside to field questions from the public.

The governor’s office indicated that additional forums will be scheduled and announced as details are finalized.

For more information about the LSRS initiative and additional forums, visit www.maine.gov/education and click on the Local Schools, Regional Support logo or call the Department of Education at 624-6620.