The Case Against School Consolidation in Freeport Maine
This document discusses concerns with a school consolidation plan between Freeport and surrounding towns. It notes that under the current system Freeport pays disproportionately more than other towns despite changes in enrollment. It also argues that building a larger high school to accommodate all towns would not be supported by the state and Freeport would take on most of the costs. The document advocates exploring alternative organizational structures that could maximize efficiencies between towns while ensuring fair funding and local control for communities. It calls for developing a better solution using the full time period allowed that builds a new budget from scratch, listens to public input, and creates a partnership with shared opportunities and expenses that is fair to students and taxpayers.
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The Case Against School Consolidation in Freeport Maine
- 1. Consolidation could work... But this plan doesn’t Here’s why... Thursday, October 16, 2008 1
- 2. Unfair Cost Sharing • Freeport pays disproportionately more than other towns. • System does not adjust as enrollments, valuations, demographics change. • Revisit after three - five years is not sufficient • 15% of budget today... Thursday, October 16, 2008 2
- 3. Capital Budget • High school capacity Freeport Durham remains an issue Pownal • State unlikely to support expansion of 13% high school building • Freeport picks up two 21% thirds of costs to 66% accomodate other towns students Thursday, October 16, 2008 3
- 4. Is this realistic? $10,500 $10,089 $9,979 $10,057 $10,058 $10,087 $9,125 Casco Bay 550 - 650 S.A.D. 51 Freeport $8,327 CBEA $7,750 RPC Plan $6,375 2006-2007 State Per Pupil (adjusted for inflation) Thursday, October 16, 2008 4
- 5. Alternative Organizational Structure • Very flexible option added through LD2323 • “Creativity will be the order of the day” • Could be configured to • Maximize efficiencies between the towns • Ensure fiar and equitable funding • Allow all communities to retain local flavor and control Thursday, October 16, 2008 5
- 6. Let’s find a better solution • Let’s use the eight months we have under the law to develop better options • Let’s build a ground-up budget with real numbers • Let’s listen to public input - not just hear it • Let’s develop a partnership where both opportunities and expenses are shared • Let’s create a solution that is fair and equitable for our children and taxpayers Thursday, October 16, 2008 6