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By The Associated Press wire report February 05, 2007 03:54 PM

AUGUSTA - A Republican political rival of Gov. John Baldacci's on Monday praised the governor for forcing the issue of school consolidation, saying the issue has not been seriously addressed in nearly four decades.

Sen. Peter Mills credited the Democratic governor for "kicking the chicken coop as hard as he did" on the issue, but acknowledged that with seven different proposals in play, it's unclear how a final plan will look.
Mills, who sought his party's nomination last year to challenge Baldacci for re-election, was one of few who had words of praise for the governor as a pair of committees took testimony on bills that could radically change the way Maine's school districts are run.

Several hundred people from all over the state packed two hearing rooms at the Augusta Civic Center as the committees on education and appropriations heard testimony on what has become a center of attention this legislative session. Testimony was also streamed via Internet to the legislative Web site.

The leadoff witness, state Education Commissioner Susan Gendron, said several studies show that education efforts in Maine remain fragmented. She said the need for efficiencies, redefined school units and improvements in student performance highlight the urgency for reform.

"It is bold. It is challenging. It must and can be done," said Gendron, who presented Baldacci's plan to reduce the number of school administrative offices from 152 to 26 regional school districts and trim the number of teachers by 650. It would save $250 million in the first three years of implementation, starting in July 2008.

Gendron pointed south to underscore her point that Baldacci's plan can work. After Arkansas reduced its districts in 2003, student assessment scores improved and college enrollment increased, she said.

Other bills set less-strict guidelines for consolidation and stress local control, sentiments reflected in the testimony of a number of speakers and others in the crowd who wore stickers that said "No" to the governor's plan and other messages like "Save Our School."

Stephen Seeley Jr. of the School Union 102 committee in Jonesboro said he fears for the future of a local 60-student community school if the Baldacci bill passes as is.

"When the money gets tight, and it will, our school will be on top of the list to be closed," Seeley told the committees.

Another Down East school director, Steven Pagels of administrative district 37 in the Cherryfield area, said the governor's plan shuts local school systems out of the process.

"Bring everyone to the table," said Pagels. "Put party politics aside in this initiative."

Sponsors of the other six education bills also introduced them to the committee on Monday.

Senate President Beth Edmonds, D-Freeport, proposes creation of 26 planning alliances and sets a deadline of July 2009 — a year later than Baldacci's bill — to advance changes. Her bill has support of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the Maine Education Association, Maine Municipal Association, Maine Hospital Association and the Maine Service Centers Coalition.

Edmonds said her bill "lets local representatives design a system that works best for them, but it lights a fire under those efforts."

Sen. Elizabeth Mitchell, D-Vassalboro, calls for 26 regional planning alliances that could propose regional school districts. It also would establish a statewide school calendar to promote efficiencies and cut costs.
Rep. Kim Silsby, D-Augusta, wants to give local school administrative districts an opportunity to create regional alliances and cooperatives. A state commission would step in and finish the job if timelines aren't reached.

Sen. Karl Turner seeks to establish a committee of former lawmakers and educators to come up with a plan that eliminates current administrative education units and their governing boards and redraws the boundaries of those units. New units would range in size from 2,000 to 2,200 students.

Turner, R-Cumberland, said his proposed commission would operate similarly to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, advancing a report that would be accepted in full in a straight up-or-down vote.
Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, is sponsoring a bill that encompasses ideas advanced by the state Board of Education and also creates a panel to draw up a plan to redraw school unit boundaries. It would also be subject to an up-or-down vote.

Mills, of Cornville, proposes consolidating certain business functions in regional cooperatives. Co-ops would be governed by regional boards with local unit representation. It also calls for laptop computers for seventh to 12th graders and extending the school year from 180 to 190 days, with 185 days for instruction.

Mills said the debate over school consolidation is "old and extensive in Maine" and breaks out anew in the State House every few decades.

"There has been no meaningful consolidation in 38 years" in Maine, said Mills.