Aiming for Successful Consolidation
The SAD 48 board voted recently to accept one of several options offered by M.E. McCormick Consultants of Dexter that includes constructing a new regional high school and consolidating four elementary schools into two, according to a recent Bangor Daily News article. (see it at Articles of Interest) Dwayne Littlefield, Chairman of the SAD 48 Building Committee believes that the key to the success of the consolidation, will be getting the public involved. "We really want a two-way discussion," Littlefield said.
The district held a series of well publicized public hearings this summer to take a look at the condition and the future of each of its buildings.
"Over the next three months, directors will meet with selectmen and members of the public in each of the district's communities. They will also meet with local fire departments, service clubs and organizations, teachers and parent-teacher groups, the Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce, senior citizens' groups and veterans' organizations. Focus groups will also be created and Nokomis Warrior Broadcasting will carry a full explanation of all decisions. The directors will explain McCormick's plan and then use the input from the people to make a final determination. "It is important to remember that what the board approved was that we put a discussion out there," Littlefield said. "Nothing is etched in stone."" (excerpt from the Bangor Daily News)
Contrast their approach to the one employed by MSAD 46. The Dexter plan seems to minimize public participation. When decisions are made by the Board of Directors, they will then be shared with the public at a required hearing prior to straw votes. The Dexter plan also includes that the Superintendent lobby the resident district employees for their participation in the straw voting process. It hasn't been a "two-way discussion", but it worked for securing site approval, so why change it now.
When he was Building Committee chairman, Mike McCormick introduced a conversation with the MSAD 46 Board and the previous Superintendent about such a campaign as the one being undertaken by SAD 48. Except for limited support from some of us on the Board, there was no real enthusiasm for the work necessary for real public participation. Unfortunately, replacing the Superintendent hasn't resulted in opening up the process here either.
I'll give credit where it's due; and in my opinion the SAD 48 approach to the future consolidation, or replacement of it's buildings is right on target, with the public being truly invited to take aim.
The district held a series of well publicized public hearings this summer to take a look at the condition and the future of each of its buildings.
"Over the next three months, directors will meet with selectmen and members of the public in each of the district's communities. They will also meet with local fire departments, service clubs and organizations, teachers and parent-teacher groups, the Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce, senior citizens' groups and veterans' organizations. Focus groups will also be created and Nokomis Warrior Broadcasting will carry a full explanation of all decisions. The directors will explain McCormick's plan and then use the input from the people to make a final determination. "It is important to remember that what the board approved was that we put a discussion out there," Littlefield said. "Nothing is etched in stone."" (excerpt from the Bangor Daily News)
Contrast their approach to the one employed by MSAD 46. The Dexter plan seems to minimize public participation. When decisions are made by the Board of Directors, they will then be shared with the public at a required hearing prior to straw votes. The Dexter plan also includes that the Superintendent lobby the resident district employees for their participation in the straw voting process. It hasn't been a "two-way discussion", but it worked for securing site approval, so why change it now.
When he was Building Committee chairman, Mike McCormick introduced a conversation with the MSAD 46 Board and the previous Superintendent about such a campaign as the one being undertaken by SAD 48. Except for limited support from some of us on the Board, there was no real enthusiasm for the work necessary for real public participation. Unfortunately, replacing the Superintendent hasn't resulted in opening up the process here either.
I'll give credit where it's due; and in my opinion the SAD 48 approach to the future consolidation, or replacement of it's buildings is right on target, with the public being truly invited to take aim.
posted by Art | 11/14/2006 04:37:00 PM
14 Comments:
I don't know what your problem is.
There are at least thirteen citizens who are not directly employed by the district, involved in the subcommittees.
We need a new school, no matter what it takes to get it!
You know, I really truly wonder what else we can do to get the "public" to come to these meetings. You say they are "in secret", but the door is WIDE open. What else do you want us to do? We can't drag people into the meetings. The time and place is posted and if people were interested in coming, don't you think they would? Why don't you ever come to these meetings? What are you afraid of?
What real effort have you made to truly invite those of us who are not staff or administrators? If the new school is to truly represent a "district community" why are the meetings held only in Dexter?
Since this plan will forever close the schools in Garland and Exeter why don't you at least bring the conversation there now.
Finally, don't you think I'm doing enough for the cause as it is? If I were afraid of anything I'd be signing this "anonymous"
I don't get it. It is published in the Gazette every week, when the meetings are and what they are concerning. Just so you know it is on page 10 of the Gazette just this week.
Seeing as you now live in a town closer to Dexter (Cambridge) and not in Garland what is stopping you from coming to Dexter for the meeting? Is it "that" far away? Do you NOT have a car? You have found something wrong with the process ever since it began.
Proof once again -- if it was needed -- that we publish all comments, without censorship.
The statement about what appears in the Gazette is demonstrably untrue.
The geography is a bit shaky too!
What is untrue in the Gazette?
What are you two Bozo'z crying about! You both quit your School Board positions early because you couldn't get your way! Art, you really surprise me, Mel, your true to form.
Leave it alone... Get a life...
Happy Thanksgiving.
I don't know what is more frightening; that you are probably a School Board member, or possibly a teacher.
I've looked back through the last month of Gazette issues and the ONLY new school information I've seen is the most recent issue (p.10) regarding the upcoming public meeting on November 28th.
I hope to see you then, I'm really truly concerned about you.
Is anyone else scratching their head?
Anonymous said "It is published in the Gazette every week, when the meetings are and what they are concerning. Just so you know it is on page 10 of the Gazette just this week."
I said "The statement about what appears in the Gazette is demonstrably untrue."
Anonymous responds "What is untrue in the Gazette?"
There is nothing untrue in the Gazette.
I never said there was.
I did say that Anonymous' statement "It is published in the Gazette every week, when the meetings are and what they are concerning" is "demonstrably untrue."
Notices have appeared in the Gazette on the following dates: October 7 (a page 3 ad for the New School Project website) and November 18 (this week), .
There has ben no information from the District in the following recent issues of the Gazette: September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; October 14, 21, and 28; November 4 and 11.
Obviously, the statement that "It is published in the Gazette every week, when the meetings are and what they are concerning." is untrue. It's quite perverse to argue otherwise.
Why is this important? Because this particular Anonymous, who, as has been suggested, appears to be one of the insiders, would like to console herself with the idea that the infrequent ads in the Gazette are somehow adequate for informing the public. These notices aren't adequate, they hardly inform the public about what actually happens at the meetings, and he shouldn't feel good about the lack of public notice and public involvement.
As well, this Anonymous is, demonstrably, a very poor reader.
I've read the comments and figured my two cents might be worth adding. I can't speak for SAD 46, but I can speak for SAD 48, since I'm directly involved in a communications effort in this district.
Our experience has been frustrating to say the least. We are actively seeking input and open dialog with our public constituents, but it has been very difficult to spark interest. Whether we publish notices in the 3 papers, put in on the website, email everyone, make calls...just about everything but beg...when it comes down to it, most people have not become involved.
To my surprise, I've run across many parents who have no idea that any discussion is even taken place. You would think most parents would be finely tuned in to matters of their child's school. I'm finding this to not be the case with most that I've spoken to.
So, what are we doing to get the word out? I've got an email distribution list of interested folks that I intend to use regularly and often. I'm asking these folks to get others involved. Board members are actively having discussions out in the public, in their own space and time. We're bringing our blog back to life. I give kuddos to Mel and Art for the format of this blog. Despite the disagreements and sometimes negative tone, it works...people are responding. To see our blog go to http://msad48.blogspot.com.
Getting the public involved is going to take unusual measures. The old way of reaching out only reaches a small fraction of your public and misses the vast majority.
Good luck in your efforts to find common ground and make the best of your school system.
Kelley Carter
Business Manager
MSAD 48 - Newport
368-5091
kcarter@msad48.org
MSAD 48's blog has had a total of 8 comments since August. At least two of those comments were from school people.
As Kelley said, we are having a hard time getting feed back from the citizens.
Should we assume that the majority of the citizens of MSAD 48 like what is being recommended?
With only 8 comments, it could be intrepeted that MSAD 48 is on the right path. However, it would be nice to hear from supporters too!
"School people" not only have an opinion about the work that is being done in 48 but also have the best knowledge of what makes a school or school system work, so their opinion is important and necessary.
By the way, the overwhemlingly majority of MSAD 48 staff are district residents, and therefore taxpayers.
Keep the conversation going, all sides must be heard, in both MSAD 48 endeavors, as well as MSAD 46 project.
I've been away for a while, but am writing about a recent "Anonymous" comment regarding "you Bozos".
I think that I know who this "anonymous" is and am sending you a separate email with his name for your information. Not too many people call others Bozo.
I think he should sign his comments "Weasel" or "Spineless".
Thanks, John. I think you may be right.
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