Thursday, February 23, 2012

Bill makes it easier for Maine towns to exit consolidated school districts

AUGUSTA — A bill that would make it easier for towns to withdraw from consolidated school districts is heading to the Maine House of Representatives.

The bill is especially relevant now because as of Jan. 1, towns that formed consolidated school districts three years ago are able to begin the withdrawal process.

Expensive and time-consuming, it begins with a petition to hold a referendum to start the process. If that passes, a town must produce a study detailing how it will provide for the educational needs of all its students. Once completed, the plan must be approved by the commissioner of the Department of Education and then, after a public hearing, the town would have to approve withdrawal by a two-thirds majority vote.

But if LD 1742 becomes law, a town could withdraw with only a simple majority in that final vote.

read more...

No comments:

Post a Comment