Maine College Republicans Express Reservations Over Baldacci School Consolidation Plan

in

January 31, 2007
Release No. 07-01
Contact: Ralph Kettell, (207) 660-5062

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Maine College Republicans Express Concern Over Baldacci School Consolidation Plan


AUGUSTA - The Maine College Republicans have expressed serious concerns about the school consolidation plan recently proposed by Governor John Baldacci.


Nathaniel Walton (Bates '08), State Chairman of the Maine College Republicans, offered the following statement today on Governor Baldacci's plan:


"Maine College Republicans have strong reservations about Governor Baldacci's school consolidation plan. His proposal to seize power from local school boards and transfer their authority to regional school boards is nothing short of troubling. Reducing local school boards to an advisory capacity is neither an effective or proper way to address problems in our state's education system. Maine has a long and storied tradition of respecting local control, and it would be disappointing if the Governor decided to abandon that tradition.


Having volunteered in local legislative races and served as active members of small communities across the Pine Tree State, Maine College Republicans have a strong appreciation for the importance of local control. If the Governor's plan is approved by the State Legislature, the quality of education in smaller, rural towns across Maine is likely to decline as decision-making power is consolidated into more populated towns and cities. Furthermore, the regional school boards that the Governor proposes to create will not be as representative of every community as the current system has proven to be.


Instead of consolidating school boards, Governor Baldacci needs to focus his efforts on reducing Maine's high property taxes and bringing about administrative reform in the state's school system. Republicans consistently support plans that reduce the overhead costs of Maine's bloated educational administration, invest more money directly into the classroom, and bring about real savings for the average Maine citizen through property tax reductions."


Emily Davis (UMF '08), State Treasurer of the Maine College Republicans, and an Education major, is dismayed over Governor Baldacci's plan for school consolidation: "The Governor's plan to consolidate school districts is a very troubling way to help balance the state budget. Like many of his plans that revolve around budget gimmicks, it looks good in the first year, when administrative overhead would be cut down. But, after the first year, things begin to get bleak. Super-sized school boards will be established to regulate the school system and the larger towns and cities will have the most representation on them. Under the Governor's proposal, smaller schools are in serious danger of losing their voice. Teachers will lose jobs from the consolidation, and, worst of all, the sense of community that many schools have encouraged for years will be diminished. I certainly do not relish the prospect of being a teacher in an educational environment where the concept of local community is not valued.


I am disappointed about this plan and will work to ensure that members of the State Legislature understand its negative implications. It is not local school districts that are costing Mainers unnecessary tax dollars - it is the bloated educational administration that is responsible."


In recent years, the achievements of Maine College Republicans have been repeatedly recognized by state and national Republican leaders, and the statewide organization has become widely regarded as the national standard for state College Republican federations. Major accomplishments in recent years include delivering the grassroots margin of victory for numerous Maine House and Senate candidates in 2006, ensuring the Republican Second Congressional District candidate a spot on the 2006 ballot, and delivering the Maine youth demographic for President George W. Bush in 2004. Over 5,000 students on 24 of Maine's college campuses claim membership to the Maine College Republicans.


Chairman Walton is available for interviews/further comments about Governor Baldacci's school consolidation plan. Chairman Walton can be reached by at (207) 240-4549 or by email at chairman@mainecr.org.


For more information about the Maine College Republicans, please visit the statewide organization's website at http://www.mainecr.org.


###