Other consolidation plans compete with governor’s

AUGUSTA – Sponsors of six other education reform bills introduced their alternatives to the governor’s plan during Monday’s hearing at the Augusta Civic Center.

Senate President Beth Edmonds, D-Freeport, proposes creation of 26 planning alliances and sets a deadline of July 2009 – a year later than Gov. John Baldacci’s bill – to advance changes. Her bill has the support of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the Maine Education Association, Maine Municipal Association, Maine Hospital Association and the Maine Service Centers Coalition.

Edmonds said her bill “lets local representatives design a system that works best for them, but it lights a fire under those efforts.”

Sen. Elizabeth Mitchell, D-Vassalboro, calls for 26 regional planning alliances that could propose regional school districts. It also would establish a statewide school calendar to promote efficiencies and cut costs.

Rep. Kim Silsby, D-Augusta, wants to give local school administrative districts an opportunity to create regional alliances and cooperatives. A state commission would step in and finish the job if timelines aren’t reached.

Sen. Karl Turner seeks to establish a committee of former lawmakers and educators to come up with a plan that eliminates current administrative education units and their governing boards and redraws the boundaries of those units. New units would range in size from 2,000 to 2,200 students.

Turner, R-Cumberland, said his proposed commission would operate similarly to the Base Realignment and Closure commission, advancing a report that would be accepted in full in a straight up-or-down vote.

Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, is sponsoring a bill that encompasses ideas advanced by the State Board of Education and also creates a panel to draw up a plan to redraw school unit boundaries. It also would be subject to an up-or-down vote.

Sen. Peter Mills, R-Cornville, proposes consolidating certain business functions in regional cooperatives. Co-ops would be governed by regional boards with local unit representation. He also calls for laptop computers for seventh- to 12th-graders and extending the school year from 180 to 190 days, with 185 days for instruction.

Mills said the debate over school consolidation is “old and extensive in Maine” and breaks out anew in the State House every few decades.

“There has been no meaningful consolidation in 38 years” in Maine, said Mills.