Forum Report: Everything is in Play!

Almost as exciting as last night's basketball game was the New School Forum at the Abbott Library. Though not well attended (16 people present), there was a good discussion about the project, about the process leading up to the present proposal, and, especially the "context," specifically, the Baldacci district reorganization proposal.

The Governor and the Commissioner of Education are holding four public forums on the proposal. The northernmost -- and closest to us -- is (for now) planned for the United Technologies Center in Bangor, next Tuesday evening at 7 pm. It's pretty important that they hear from the public and not just the most-directly-affected professionals. Check this DOE site for details, as the location may be changed. Update: Apparently this meeting has been moved to Peakes Auditorium at Bangor High School, though the DOE web site does not yet indicate this.

One bit of information: Senator John Nutting has proposed elimination of the EPS (Essential Programs and Services) method of determining State educational funding. Doug Thomas attended last evening, and said that EPS has been devastating for rural schools. Nutting will be speaking at the Maine Small Schools Coalition meeting Friday. We hope to report back on that conference here.

In related matters, over at Articles, you'll see excerpts and links to two very intersting articles relating to school projects. In Ellsworth, they're proceeding with a new school/renovation project on a rather confined site. In Brunswick, some discussion by the Commissiioner of what happens to an "in process" project if the "SuperDistrict" comes into being.

We do live in interesting times, though the world is hardly a bright meadow!