06/20/2008
from the Kennebec Journal
QUESTIONS REMAIN
No complaints from those who switched to Somerset County center
Vote on 1 may hurt some in election
Steeple at center of debate in Whitefield
VETERANS REQUIRE ASSISTANCE: Homelessness takes center stage
J.P. DEVINE: Overcome sadness with hope
BASKETBALL: NBA Hall of Famer Barry doles out advice at Thomas College
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY: Maranacook sophomore Mace dominates Class B field
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
A year later, families await answers on fatalities
Owner of topless coffee shop on the comeback trail
Officials report cheaper, better service after switch
Two people in critical condition
Young Marines stick to program
Issue of homeless veterans at center stage
GIRLS SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: Winslow falls to York in Class B
Bard hits her marathon stride
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
AUGUSTA -- More Maine school districts are making progress in complying with a state law intended to shrink the number of districts, according to numbers released Thursday by the Department of Education.
Since March, school officials have submitted 19 complete plans under the consolidation law, though all of those are alternative plans from districts not planning to merge with other districts. Four other proposed school districts planning mergers are expected to submit complete plans soon, department spokesman David Connerty-Marin said.
The new plan completions follow 20 consolidation plans approved since the beginning of the year by Education Commissioner Susan Gendron and another approved through a separate law.
Still, the department cannot give a firm tally showing the number of school districts Maine will have after the merger process is complete. A handful of districts have yet to decide on final consolidation partners.
The 2007 state law requiring school districts to consolidate is an effort to reduce the number of Maine districts from 290 to about 80, in part to save on administrative costs.
Connerty-Marin estimated the final number of districts would fall slightly below 80.
"I'm feeling pretty optimistic about this," he said.
Of the 19 complete plans districts submitted to meet a June 13 deadline for merger status updates, Connerty-Marin said, some should receive Department of Education approval in the coming days.
The newest complete plans include statements from Gardiner-based School Administrative District 11 Augusta public schools, which filed alternative plans with the Department of Education, thus avoiding mergers with other school districts.
Matthew Stone -- 623-3811, Ext. 435
mstone@centralmaine.com




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