Governance and "Local Control"

The discussion of the Baldacci "consolidation" plan has begun. A great deal of the conversation will focus on questions of local control.

If the plan is implemented as planned, SAD #46 becomes part of a new regional district that stretches from Beaver Cove to Dixmont.* What representation will we have on a "super board" of 15 members? What influence will ordinary citizens or parents have on issues affecting them?

In the current issue of the Piscataquis Observer, a front-page article surveys area superintendents on their reaction to the plan. (I've put up excerpts from this article here.)

While the cynical may brush off the superintendents' remarks as self-serving, others will see some merit in their concerns. The thread that runs through their remarks is the likely disconnect between the new central office and what would be happening "on the ground" in the former districts.

This too is an aspect of "local control" -- or its absence.

* At this DOE page, we're told the new region (#10) will be comprised of 40 towns: Abbot, Atkinson, Beaver Cove, Bowerbank, Brownville, Cambridge, Charleston, Corinna, Dennistown Plt, Dexter, Dixmont, Dover-Foxcroft, Etna, Exeter, Garland, Greenville, Guilford, Harmony, Hartland, Kingsbury Plt, Lagrange, Lake View Plt, Milo, Monson, Newport, Palmyra, Parkman, Plymouth, Ripley, Saint Albans, Sangerville, Sebec, Shirley, Wellington, Willimantic. It will have approximately 7595 students, according to the accompanying map.