Earlier in the week, we lauded Gov. John Baldacci's boldness in proposing the radical consolidation of school districts in the state. Provoked by a nasty fight over TABOR's tax-cutting and spending limits in the last election, as well as not one, but three, studies recommending school district consolidation, Baldacci's budget contains a plan to cut the number of school administrative units from 290 to 26, eliminating the jobs and salaries of more than 100 superintendents and many of their staff. The governor says his plan, which he wants to carry out within two years, will save the state $250 million.

The reaction from local school boards, teachers and administrators was swift and strong.

In Hallowell, SAD 16 board members took an immediate vote to oppose the plan. "This is a top-down plan being pushed without any recognition of local wishes," district officials said.

Elsewhere in the state, SAD 71 school board chairwoman Maureen King said "I'm really appalled. I think this would be a giant step backwards for education in Maine."

Brunswick school board member Bob Morrison called the plan "totalitarian." Brunswick superintendent James Ashe called it a "one-size-fits-all hatchet job."

Change is hard.

We have many questions ourselves about the Baldacci reorganization plan. We're not sure it can be done within the timeframe proposed. We're not sure that 26 is the right number of districts. We're not sure that the savings predicted will be the savings realized. Those are all issues that need to be debated over the coming months. Yet the governor's plan is a substantive and compelling model for the kind of change Maine needs to make, if we're to ensure our state's future prosperity, and deserves deep and thoughtful consideration.

At the same time, we acknowledge that some school districts across the state have engaged in good faith efforts to discuss ways to consolidate everything from separate districts to specific administrative and purchasing functions.

Those are difficult things to pull off, especially in a state with a deeply embedded tradition of local control. There have been isolated and notable instances of success in these efforts, but not nearly enough of them.

The citizens of this state have said loud and clear that they want tax reform and reduction.

Those changes are going to have to come from somewhere. The governor has proposed an enormous change in the way we go about our business and if you want to call that kind of necessary leadership a "top-down" way of doing things, then so be it.

Certainly, the best solution to our admittedly expensive public school administration will be fashioned from the top-down and the bottom-up.

But for that to happen, the sides shaping up in this battle must conduct this public discussion using facts, respect for others' opinions and an openness to radically new ways of doing things.

It can be a spirited and even heated debate -- as SAD 58 superintendent Quenten Clark said, "It promises to be a very wild ride."

Wild or tame, everyone needs to get on board and make this idea work. If they don't, the next TABOR will surely be approved by frustrated voters.