Greenville Goes South...Not?

Recent articles in the Piscataquis Observer and the Moosehead Messenger covering a recent consolidation forum in Greenville point toward Greenville (Union 60) charting an independent course, or a course that is independent, at least, of the SADs to Greenville's south.

Some of the issues identified by Greenville citizens, at least as represented in these reports, are loss of control, dilution of influence, the irreversible and binding nature of the RSU decision (no possible future "opt out"), and loss of school facility ownership. As well, the prospect of Greenville schools being closed, with children being bussed as far as Guilford, was raised.

Greenville officials have made no final decisions, but the direction appears to be away from any partnership with SAD 4 and others to the south of Greenville.

If you been following consolidation developments, you probably know that SAD 41 (Milo) recently left the RSU 18 discussion in order to pursue a partnership with SAD 64 (Corinth).

So there's a ongoing discussion of "RSU 18", and it includes SADs 4, 46, and 68. SAD 41 has left. Union 60 (Greenville) is likely to leave.

How different is this ongoing discussion from that which is beginning between SAD 4 and 46 and Harmony and Willimantic? The first formal meeting of this somewhat smaller formation is this evening. (For details, see the Voter's Calendar.)

Let's put it another way: where is SAD 68 going? Will the State Department of Education allow SAD 68 to be a ""donut hole"? This is not likely, since they don't have a public high school as required by the law.