4 months ago
THOMASTON (NEWS CENTER) -- School starts next week in many parts of Maine. In a number of places it marks the first year of classes under the new, consolidated school districts - called "RSU's" or regional school units. The state Department of Education says 98 districts have consolidated down to just 26. The new RSU 13 in the Rockland-Thomaston area is one of them. About 56 districts were allowed to remain as they were for a variety of reasons, and the state says there are nearly 100 school districts that have still not complied with the consolidation law. Maine Education Commissioner Susan Gendron says consolidation will save money over the long run. And she says that with more and more pressure on budgets in the next few years, schools all over the state will be forced to find ways to save money. "I think we will start to see some very tough decisions. That's why its important for us to stay focused on what are our educational goals for our students? What are the efficiencies we can create here, either through reorganization or these collaboratives the superintendents have proposed? We have to reduce costs," says Gendron. Gendron says the state expects a total of about 187,000 students this year in kindergarten through twelfth grade -- the lowest enrollment in nearly 30 years. School districts that have not complied with the consolidation law were supposed to suffer a financial penalty, but that won't happen this year. The legislature decided to delay any penalties for at least a year ---until voters decide on a repeal referendum in November.
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