Karen Corson of Athens, ME Peace, there is no way anyone could MAKE you take your child to Madison to play sports,.. and if there were superintendents agreements to do just this at Nokomis, I am sure they would continue ( we also have students that have superintendent agreements with Carrebec, and Skowhegan,) I am pretty sure those would have been honored even if I didn't agree with the reasoning behind them..... I am pretty sure there is no perfect solution to any of this, but the pure facts were and remain, Nokomis didn't return the letter of intent with Pittsfield the same as Carrebec didn't return Madison's... there was a statement that was made recently that said other town's could possibly be allowed to join after the fact,... so who knows what could or will happen, But for now, Nokomis doesnt want Pittsfield. And Carrebec doesn't want Madison. they have since signed a one yr agreement to consolidate with 13,... and so the world turns. Sincerely Karenreport abuse

kal of Staten Island, NY thanks Karen, I was just questioning the reasoning (as a parent of former Athens/ Madison students) as I haven't been around for a few years. I wish the districts luck with their consolidation. There just never seems to be enough money being put into any of the schools. I miss you my friend! (Karen)report abuse

Peace of Newport, ME The fact is that students would be going between Pittsfield and Madison - an informational meeting here in Pittsfield in regards to a home-schooled student revealed that he would be required to play sports in Madison (MCI does not allow home-schooled students to participate in sports unless they are enrolled at least 1/2 time). These were words directly from Superintendent Gallagher. You can check it from a previous news article in this paper. We were sure surprised at that and if that parent had not asked, no one would have been told. 51 mile round-trip, with today's gas prices (and tomorrow's) doesn't make any sense.

Nokomis HS is 8 miles away - round trip 16 - it just makes more sense. Many of our students go to Nokomis through a superintendent's agreement anyway, for things MCI doesn't have - Jr. ROTC, etc. Parents transport their students.

Besides, will anyone actually save any money with the colsolidation?report abuse

Karen Corson of Athens, ME There was never any talk of any students being driven to Pittsfield or in reverse. If people had bothered to show up to the informational meetings, which I made priority because I have a want to know,I went around work, family and college. I am amazed at the ignorance some people show. 74 didn't put in a letter of intent, 53 DID. Mr Gallager is a wonderful, caring, hard working individual whom I have had the pleasure of seeing work through this at first with Ms MacArthur and then after she graciously bowed out of our contract (and obviously took a nice new position for herself). When I call Mr Gallager I get him on the phone. When he doesn't have an answer, he admits it and gets the answer. All of which matters to me, a parent of 2 children in this district.

This consolidation has ALWAYS been geared at saving money, the fact that we have a community or 2 between us has only made it prove that it is purely for the savings at administration levels. Technology is amazing now and Athens School, and Starks will remain open, if we went with 74 where would they be? Athens is a mere 12 miles each way.... so a more focal point, a positive to me. It puts Athens on the map.

Shame on Madison for not getting more involved and being more supportive of the group of people I was very impressed with to work with. Thank you 53 for the genuine welcome we felt arriving at one of the meetings in Pittsfield to a cake with 2 hands shaking 53 and 59... I wonder what kind of welcome we would have received in elsewhere? Besides the point that it will COST 74 money to join US..... AND THEY DIDN'T WRITE A LETTER OF INTENT!!! What kind of people are we wanting to sit at a table and be talking about cutting duplicated jobs and the changes that we will encounter? I voted for the Pittsfield consolidation, I will hope more people in Madison vote for it the next vote., you are costing us money for the inevitable. And one more point is, If you think you can do better...report abuse