AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - A new panel met for the first time today to try to figure out ways to implement a system that would allow students to choose the school they attend.
The Governor and his Commissioner of Education say parents should have a system for finding a school that works best for their child rather than simply relying on the schools in the community where the live.
But the plan has some vocal critics including the union that represents Maine teachers.
"The schools with a hundred students, if you lose 50 of them then there's not a school anymore. What we're concerned with is it's going to cause some of the smaller school districts to close down", said Lois Kilby-Chesley of the Maine Education Association.
Commission of Education Stephen Bowen says the system of attending school in the community where you live has been around for decades and it's not necessarily the way children should be educated in these days.
"Does it make sense in the 21st century for these school busses to go down the street and turn around at the town line that was drawn 200-years ago and turn back when there may be other educational opportunities on the other side of that town line that will be a better fit for that kid", he said.
Bowen says one of the missions of this special work group is to address to those concerns while finding the best way to open up educational opportunities for Maine students beyond their city and town borders.
NEWS CENTER