Baldacci pitches education plan to Fusion:Bangor Governor: Proposal still could change

BREWER – Gov. John Baldacci took a break Monday from public hearings in Augusta on school system consolidation plans to join a group of local young professionals for a discussion of his plan to restructure public school administration.

Baldacci addressed Fusion:Bangor, a professional networking organization founded by the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, at the Muddy Rudder on Monday evening. He answered questions and outlined his plan to replace the 290 school districts in the state and the jobs of the 152 superintendents overseeing them with 26 districts and superintendents by 2008. This move is estimated to save at least $241 million over three years, which would go to property tax relief, funding for scholarships, and increased starting teacher salaries, among other things, the governor said.

“We’ve got to raise ourselves up and say, ‘How can we do things differently?'” Baldacci said. “We can’t continue on the course we’re on. It’s very expensive.”

Only one crowd member challenged the plan. Paul Butler, principal of the Fairmount School in Bangor, said the cut to 26 administrative centers is widely recognized as “severe” and wondered whether the number might increase.

“We play by the rules, we spend lean,” Butler said. “Every dollar … is very well spent.”

Baldacci said his is an initial proposal that could change. He said he looks forward to reviewing other plans presented in Augusta today.

Candy Guerette, president of the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, pointed out that the state has not made an effort to consolidate school districts since the Sinclair Act in 1957.

“In 50 years, except for the SATs, nothing has changed in our educational structure. That stuns me,” Guerette said.

Baldacci agreed, and said that since 1980, the state has lost 40,000 students while the number of districts has remained the same.

“We need more and better excellence of education. We don’t need as much administration,” Baldacci said.

Fusion organizers say the group will not take a position on the governor’s plan before the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce does.

“I think this is a great conversation. I’m honored that [the governor] came to us and asked to talk with us,” said Chris Winstead, 30, who co-chairs Fusion and is a Merrill Bank employee. “Fusion has been growing and we’re trying to improve the substance of our events.”