To the Editor:
As you may know the Maine legislature has passed a law that there cannot be more than 80 school districts in Maine. This has caused the Dept. of Education to mandate that there cannot be more than 80 school distracts in the state. Officials of the Wiscasset system tried to consolidate with Bath and then later with Boothbay. These efforts failed so the officials then sought other school systems that would be interested in consolidating with Wiscasset.
I have served on the Regional Planning Committee (RPC) for school consolidation since Dec. of 2007. The RPC was composed of three representatives from each town, a selectperson, a school board member and a community member.
We met weekly in Whitefield from about December 2007 to June. The RPC was a diverse group with various views of consolidation. Initially many members looked out more for their own town’s welfare than for the welfare of all towns. After working together we all worked to develop a plan that was fair and equitable for all towns.
I think that the plan that will be voted on Nov. 4 is a good one. It is tax neutral with each town paying the same percentage as is paid now as if there was a consolidated school district.
I urge you to vote for the consolidation plan that is on the Nov. 4 ballots.
George Greene, Wiscasset
