Last year, I was asked to help represent Belgrade on the committee to study Oakland, Belgrade, Sidney and Rome's (MSAD 47) participation in a proposed regional school unit (RSU), with school systems in one or more of these municipalities: China, Vassal-boro, Winslow and perhaps Waterville.

I am open-minded regarding MSAD 47's consolidation with other school systems, but the district already meets the state threshold of 2,500 students for an independent school unit, so that option remains open, too.

My personal recommendation for Belgrade to accept or reject any formal RSU consolidation proposal will be based on the committee's ability to credibly project the following outcomes for whatever combination of school units it may finally propose to the voters:

* Educational quality, in measurable terms, will remain equal or better than now.

* Intrinsic cost savings for the proposed RSU, based upon credible estimates for a common time frame, will be significant compared to the sum of "go it alone" costs for the same test period. I view "significant" as 5 percent or more of the combined total annual budgets.

* Neither Belgrade nor MSAD 47 will be exposed to higher ongoing costs due to cost sharing formulas that may be proposed between municipalities and with the state, compared to the "go-it-alone" option.

* All proposed RSU members are willing partners who are prepared to co-operate for the common good in a permanent relationship. No "shotgun marriages."

Jack Sutton

Belgrade