CAMDEN – The State Department of Education has rejected the preliminary reorganization plan submitted by SAD 28 and Five Town CSD for compliance with the reorganization law.

“The state has turned down our plan,” said Superintendent Patricia Hopkins at the SAD 28 board meeting held at the bus barn.

SAD 28 officials said Wednesday they had expected the rejection and made a decision to continue working on the plan anyway. The next reorganization plan committee meeting is scheduled for Dec. 27.

The report was submitted in time for the state’s Dec. 1 deadline set under the school administrative reorganization law passed by the Legislature in June.

Board member John Lewis said it was time “to start a discussion” on the quality of education rather than on the finances of consolidation.

Hopkins said there is a legislative proposal to postpone the budget validation process for a year until 2009-10 anyway.

The cover letter from Education Commissioner Susan Gendron offered the board members comments and notes to help them complete their plan.

Gendron said the proposed operational date is missing and asked that it be included in the revision.

She also pointed out that the actual number of students for whom the proposed regional school unit was fiscally responsible as of Oct. 1, 2006, was 2,048.

“I am making you aware of this as this is the enrollment number that will be used in determining Essential Programs and Services funding,” Gendron said.

Other comments asked the board to clarify some things or follow a checklist.

The board is to submit a revised plan by Feb. 1.

In other business at Wednesday’s meeting, the board heard a presentation on changes in the state’s special education regulations from Cindy Foreman, director of special education.

Middle school principal Maria Libby presented a scheduling proposal designed to give students more flexible time for getting extra help from teachers, and provides math and language arts instruction every day.

Periods will be rotated so that students will see their teachers at different periods throughout the week.

The Five Town CSD administers education to students in grades nine through 12 from Appleton, Camden, Hope, Lincolnville and Rockport at its Camden Hills Regional High School campus. Community and adult education also is provided for all five towns at this site.

SAD 28 provides education for kindergarten through grade eight from Camden and Rockport. Rockport Elementary School East, kindergarten through grade two, and Rockport Elementary School West, grades three and four, are the two campuses. Camden-Rockport Middle School is the campus for grades five through eight. Hopkins is the superintendent for the two districts.

Union 69 provides education for students in kindergarten through grade eight from Appleton, Hope and Lincolnville. Deborah Stewart is the superintendent for Union 69.

gchappell@bangordailynews.net

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