Cost analysis the focus of withdrawal agreement draft
The Arundel Withdrawal Committee met with Charles Lawton, chief
economist of Planning Decisions, to discuss plans for what type of
research and data the committee will require. The committee is currently
in the process of drafting a proposal to withdraw from Regional School
Unit 21.
Throughout Lawton’s proposal, the committee determined that because
of a tight deadline, Lawton’s immediate role will focus on cost-analysis
and the financial implications until a draft agreement is put together.
“We have a lot of experience within the company, in regard to
municipal affairs, across the whole range of activities,” Lawton said
about the Portland-based consulting agency. “(We) focus on municipal
land use, zoning, economic development, school enrollment projections
and a whole range of community and economic development.”
The data will include cost-analysis between the two scenarios,
including) the costs for capital improvements such as renovations at
Kennebunk High School, Kennebunkport Consolidated School and Mildred L.
Day School.
Lawton also said Planning Decisions has partnered with Judith
Haggerty, a former superintendent of schools from Thomaston. Lawton said
Haggerty’s experience in consolidation and dismantling of school
districts can provide valuable insight.
According to a timeline proposed by the withdrawal committee, in
order to allow the maximum amount of time for an agreement to be moved
to voters for November elections, a withdrawal agreement should be
drafted by June 15.
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