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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information: Jay Finegan, 287-1445
May 28, 2009

AUGUSTA – The new state biennial budget, signed today by Governor Baldacci, includes a provision to delay financial penalties for so-called “orphan schools,” those which have been spurned as consolidation partners. The budget writers moved in language from LD 635, sponsored by Rep. Stacey Fitts, which gives 17 school administrative units an additional year to find consolidation partners.

“The budget provision essentially buys more time for school districts that tried to consolidate with other districts but were rejected,” said Rep. Fitts (R-Pittsfield). “My school district, SAD 53, is a good example. It could have lost $180,000 in state aid, even though our communities voted to consolidate with SAD 59. The SAD 59 voters turned down the measure. But the way the law is written, SAD 53 faced a big fine. It is profoundly unfair to penalize schools and taxpayers who tried to do the right thing. Now that my bill has been included in the budget, we’ll have an extra year.”

According to the Maine Department of Education, a total of 17 school administrative units statewide are caught in the same trap as SAD 53, facing fines for non-conformance after being rejected by potential consolidation partners. The other 16 are in Castine; Deblois; Gilead; Highland Plantation; Madawaska; Stacyville; Fort Kent; Harrington; Bethel; Dover-Foxcroft; Anson; Millinocket; Moro Plantation; Surry; Upton; and Vanceboro.

Under LD 635, the original bill, orphan districts would receive an extension to July 1, 2010 to try again to consolidate with the same districts that rejected them or with different school administrative units. The Department of Education would be directed to help prepare another reorganization plan. To qualify for the extension, a school administrative unit must have approved a reorganization plan at a referendum prior to January 30, 2009. The bill’s language has been incorporated into the budget.

Under the terms of Part KKKK of the budget, subsequent reorganization plans must meet the same requirements as those filed prior to the January 2008 referendum deadline, except that the timelines are adjusted to reflect a July 1, 2010 reorganization plan. The financial penalties will resume for any school administrative unit that fails to approve a reorganization plan on or before January 30, 2010 and to implement that plan by July 1, 2010.

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