PRESQUE ISLE – The SAD 1 Education Association Executive Committee has approved a resolution supporting the repeal of the mandated school consolidation law that was enacted last year.

The 11-member panel is the local group of the Maine Education Association and consists of representatives from each of the SAD 1 facilities. In a seven-point resolution, the committee states that “no evidence is available to prove the claim that the quality of education would be improved as a result of the regionalization of schools.”

The resolution also states that “no evidence is available to prove the claims of reduced costs and property tax relief,” and that a likely result of regionalization would be the closure of schools in many municipalities.

Judy Atcheson, a third-grade teacher at Zippel Elementary School, is co-president of the SAD 1 Education Association Executive Committee.

She said group members decided to put forth the resolution after lengthy consideration and study.

“We’ve been watching this since the start, and we have gathered a great deal of information about it,” Atcheson said. “We have been watching what has been going on, and we don’t feel that it is going to be beneficial for SAD 1.”

Atcheson said the group has met frequently with SAD 1 Superintendent Gehrig Johnson and has also participated in a meeting with a representative from the Maine Education Association.

The resolution was sent to the Legislature, local representatives and Gov. John Baldacci, and a copy was given to the MEA.

The executive committee’s decision to support the repeal of the law mirrors a similar resolution issued last month by the SAD 1 school board, Johnson said Tuesday. Both resolutions contain the same language.

Atcheson said the executive committee will continue to watch the situation and stay in touch with school officials and local representatives regarding the issue.

Amendments to the consolidation law are being considered in the Legislature.

jlbdn@ainop.com

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