Don’t rush school reform

The BDN editorial “Move On District Reform (BDN, Feb. 14) presents an ill-advised recommendation. I am an overtaxed retired person (a strong TABOR supporter) with grown children, so you think I would be a strong advocate of the governor’s proposal. I am not. It is a proposal that was developed in haste, based on incomplete data that does not take in to account the realities of rural Maine.

The governor’s plan does not consider the adverse effects the plan would have on educational quality, parent involvement, local control, cost to implement and unintended consequences on regional economic development and community identity. The implementation schedule is unworkable and irresponsible and would result in chaos throughout Maine’s public schools.

I believe that consolidation of some educational service can be accomplished to the benefit of taxpayers, but it should be done in a measured deliberate process that maintains quality, local control and includes the views of all stakeholders. The governor’s proposal and method of implementation is wrong-headed, as is your endorsement of it.

Pete Johnson

Greenville