WINSLOW -- Educators and others tomorrow plan to discuss with local residents a proposal to merge the administrative offices of three area school districts.

Winslow and the other two communities, Vassalboro and Waterville, are required by state law to hold these public hearings in order to vet the proposal in preparation for a Jan. 13 vote.

"It's an opportunity for Winslow residents who are interested in hearing more about the proposal to participate and ask questions," Winslow Town Manager Michael Heavener said.

Heavener sits on the committee that produced the proposal.

The state-mandated process is aimed at reducing education costs by cutting down the number of school systems. School systems must present plans on how they will save money by sharing transportation and administrative resources.

Educators in Maine refer to the type of plan these three communities are considering as an "alternative organizational structure," which is touted as being desirable in that it provides a greater degree of local control than does a "regional school unit."

The plan to merge will go forward if any two of the three communities vote in favor of it. If one community votes it down, the remaining two will still be partners.
The three systems would maintain separate school boards but would have one "mother" board made up of people from the three communities.