Thursday, February 1, 2007
from the Kennebec Journal
BUDGET CUTS ORDERED
Many happy returns in Richmond
Tax woes land on Whitefield
Rapist denied new trial
AUGUSTA MINDING A MINE
SPORT OF KINGS Falconry a blend of dedication and commitment
COLLEGE HOCKEY: Maine rallies but falls short against Boston College
COLLEGE ROUNDUP: Colby women win season opener at home tournament
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
WEDDING BURGLAR JAILED
Youths talk Turkey Day
Plenty of free Thanksgiving meals available
Turkey prices make for happier holiday
Kennebec County Superior Court
POLICE
COLLEGE HOCKEY: Maine rallies but falls short against Boston College
COLLEGE ROUNDUP: Colby women win season opener at home tournament
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
Regionalization would mean losing local control. Towns would no longer be in control of their own schools. School board members would be strangers. Small community schools have been the backbone of our towns where everyone knows each other and have a shared interest in how things are run. Being part of a large regional school district means losing that cohesive community feeling.
The commissioner of education, Susan Gendron, has said no schools will close because of regionalization. However, under Essential Programs and Services, if a school has classes of fewer than 17 students, state funding for that school would be reduced. Towns would be forced to go back to the taxpayers and ask for additional money or increase class size. If a school could not increase class size nor get additional money, it would be forced to close its school and bus students to other districts. We all know kids learn best in small classes. The impact on student learning is tremendous and quality of education is lost in large classes.
Saving money and cutting property taxes is one thing, but in a state where most of our schools are in rural areas, one size does not fit all.
Joan Thomas
Chairperson Union 44
Litchfield

Reader comments
Sort by: Oldest first | Newest First
You must be a registered user of MaineToday.com to post a comment. Register or log in.