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Log inSchool choice plays role in districts' merger plan
School choice plays role in districts' merger plan
by Outspoken on Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:34 am
School choice plays role in districts' merger plan
Windham and Raymond officials are expected to vote next month on a consolidation plan.
By KELLEY BOUCHARD
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
WINDHAM — Raymond students' ability to choose where they go to high school could be a factor in whether Windham and Raymond voters support a plan to merge the two school districts, officials of both towns said Wednesday night.
The towns are expected to vote on a consolidation plan on Nov. 4, after more than a year of talking about it. On the same day, Raymond voters will consider whether the town will continue to allow its students to choose where they go to high school.
At a joint meeting of the towns' school committees, most officials agreed that consolidation would benefit both towns, regardless of how Raymond votes on school choice.
"It benefits everyone and it's going to save everyone tax dollars," said Raymond Selectman Joe Bruno, who serves on the Regionalization Planning Committee, which is developing the merger plan.
Windham will hold a public forum on the plan at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 10 in the auditorium at Windham High School. Raymond is expected to schedule a similar forum. Each will be open to residents of both towns.
The towns' school committees are expected to vote next month to submit the merger plan to the Maine Department of Education.
The fact that so many Raymond students attend Windham High School is a major reason why the two school districts are talking about merging.
About 160 (64 percent) of Raymond's 250 high school-age students attend Windham High School, which has a total of about 1,000 students.
Jeff Vermette, a former Windham School Committee member who also serves on the Regionalization Planning Committee, said Windham needs the students and the $1.2 million in tuition ($7,500 per student) that Raymond contributes each year. Raymond gives the same tuition to students who attend other high schools, public and private.
"If we don't consolidate, it will cost Windham a great deal more," Vermette said.
A new state law requires most of Maine's 288 school districts to merge and bring the number of districts down to 80. The law applies to districts with fewer than 2,500 students.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=204681&ac=PHnws
Windham and Raymond officials are expected to vote next month on a consolidation plan.
By KELLEY BOUCHARD
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
WINDHAM — Raymond students' ability to choose where they go to high school could be a factor in whether Windham and Raymond voters support a plan to merge the two school districts, officials of both towns said Wednesday night.
The towns are expected to vote on a consolidation plan on Nov. 4, after more than a year of talking about it. On the same day, Raymond voters will consider whether the town will continue to allow its students to choose where they go to high school.
At a joint meeting of the towns' school committees, most officials agreed that consolidation would benefit both towns, regardless of how Raymond votes on school choice.
"It benefits everyone and it's going to save everyone tax dollars," said Raymond Selectman Joe Bruno, who serves on the Regionalization Planning Committee, which is developing the merger plan.
Windham will hold a public forum on the plan at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 10 in the auditorium at Windham High School. Raymond is expected to schedule a similar forum. Each will be open to residents of both towns.
The towns' school committees are expected to vote next month to submit the merger plan to the Maine Department of Education.
The fact that so many Raymond students attend Windham High School is a major reason why the two school districts are talking about merging.
About 160 (64 percent) of Raymond's 250 high school-age students attend Windham High School, which has a total of about 1,000 students.
Jeff Vermette, a former Windham School Committee member who also serves on the Regionalization Planning Committee, said Windham needs the students and the $1.2 million in tuition ($7,500 per student) that Raymond contributes each year. Raymond gives the same tuition to students who attend other high schools, public and private.
"If we don't consolidate, it will cost Windham a great deal more," Vermette said.
A new state law requires most of Maine's 288 school districts to merge and bring the number of districts down to 80. The law applies to districts with fewer than 2,500 students.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=204681&ac=PHnws
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Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
