Like Peeling An Onion

It has never been so obvious. Consolidation as a money-saver doesn't pass the straight-face test.

Governor Baldacci inveighs against excessive administration in the schools -- and thus strikes a populist chord -- but cannot apparently force the Department of Education (DOE) to retreat from the very mandates that create the need for extra "administration" out in the districts.

Nor can he, apparently, while reducing 70 positions at the state level, find a single job to eliminate in the DOE apparatus. We have to wonder too if he's looked at the DOE's raft of consultants. (As an aside, it would be nice to know how the consolidation facilitators are being compensated. I know of one retired superintendent who's faciltating for six separate RSUs!)

By the way, are there ANY retired Superintendents NOT now working for the DOE?

The DOE spokesperson, David Connerty-Martin, gave the game away recently when he charged the Waterville schools with not spending enough on teachers. Further, he argued that teacher contracts don't have to be dealt with immediately:

Connerty-Marin says if school systems merge they can bring teacher salaries in line by negotiating contracts in a number of different ways that do not cause a hardship on the districts.

Negotiating would be a two or three year process, he said.

"It's not like overnight you'd have to turn around and negotiate a new contract," he said.

How is this different from saying that he (and the Department) would prefer that consolidation be a done deal before its true costs come to light? And that the Department (and Baldacci) would prefer a "grace period" before the exact terms of the bargain they made with the Maine Education Association is revealed?

We now hear that the Baldacci administration has incorporated many "refinements" (to consolidation) into its budget proposal, but will veto the bill (LD 1932) that, besides these, includes the Dennis Damon "super union" proposal.

There is a chance -- a small chance -- that the voters will shake off the populist pitch of this particular consolidation scheme and recognize it as a career-boosting scheme (for some), a corrupt bargain (for some), and a deception (of the rest of us).

Can you hear that rumble?