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Log inMerger plan awaits verdict of voters
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Merger plan awaits verdict of voters
by Outspoken on Sat Nov 01, 2008 4:54 am
Merger plan awaits verdict of voters
BY VALERIE TUCKER
Correspondent Morning Sentinel
School Administrative District 58 Superintendent Quenten Clark has been an outspoken critic of the state's mandate to consolidate schools in western Maine.
He is willing to accept whatever taxpayers decide when they vote on Nov. 4, but he's been to a dozen meetings in the district to explain to parents and community members how the process will impact their lives.
"If you vote to consolidate, SAD 58 school taxes will decrease, but SAD 9 taxes will increase by nearly $1 million," he said. "We can't expect taxpayers will want to pay more to maintain small schools in distant towns."
SAD 9 and SAD 58 school boards voted nearly unanimously to reject consolidation.
Voters have come to hearings in Strong, Avon, Phillips, Kingfield, and Stratton, where elementary schools are considered the heart of each community, he said.
"We've had good turnout, but the question that keeps coming over and over is 'Why are we having to do this?'" Clark said. "We aren't saving money, and we aren't improving education for our children."
School board Chairman Gerald Pond echoed that concern.
"People are worried they might lose their local schools, and our schools are one of the best things we have in these small communities," he said after the Thursday hearing at the Strong Elementary School.
http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/5560027.html
BY VALERIE TUCKER
Correspondent Morning Sentinel
School Administrative District 58 Superintendent Quenten Clark has been an outspoken critic of the state's mandate to consolidate schools in western Maine.
He is willing to accept whatever taxpayers decide when they vote on Nov. 4, but he's been to a dozen meetings in the district to explain to parents and community members how the process will impact their lives.
"If you vote to consolidate, SAD 58 school taxes will decrease, but SAD 9 taxes will increase by nearly $1 million," he said. "We can't expect taxpayers will want to pay more to maintain small schools in distant towns."
SAD 9 and SAD 58 school boards voted nearly unanimously to reject consolidation.
Voters have come to hearings in Strong, Avon, Phillips, Kingfield, and Stratton, where elementary schools are considered the heart of each community, he said.
"We've had good turnout, but the question that keeps coming over and over is 'Why are we having to do this?'" Clark said. "We aren't saving money, and we aren't improving education for our children."
School board Chairman Gerald Pond echoed that concern.
"People are worried they might lose their local schools, and our schools are one of the best things we have in these small communities," he said after the Thursday hearing at the Strong Elementary School.
http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/5560027.html
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