MDIschools.net

January 4, 2007

• Mixed Reaction Displayed To Governor's Savings Proposals, Fred Bever, MPBN (audio link)

January 5

• Baldacci budget would reduce school districts, superintendents, Victoria Wallack, State House News Service

January 6.

• Baldacci promotes plan to consolidate school districts, Francis X. Quinn, Associated Press

January 7.

• Education Commissioner Clarifies Details Of Consolidation Plan, Maine Public Radio, Maine Things Considered

January 8.

• Administration releases more details of school district plan, Glenn Adams, Associated Press

January 9.

• School district plan detailed, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Consolidating school districts won't be easy, Ron Bancroft, Portland Press Herald
• Islanders wary of 'mega-district', Tess Nacelewicz, Portland Press Herald
• School consolidation proposal raises eyebrows, Jane Andrews, Republican Journal
• More than overhead and drag, …steadying vision and leadership (an open letter to MDI Legislators), Brian Hubbell, Bar Harbor School Committee

January 10.

• Restructuring riles School Board , Tom Minervino, Bar Harbor Times
• School chiefs' defender tilts at bold idea, Bill Nemitz, Portland Press Herald
• Details, please, Editorial, Bar Harbor Times.
• School district reorganization plan draws comments from Camden area officials, Stephen Betts & Susan Milisa Mustapich, Camden Herald
• School consolidation shortfalls, Editorial, Courier Gazette
• Super pans proposal, too, Tom Minervino, Bar Harbor Times
• State's school plan panned in SAD 56, Steve Fuller, Republican Journal
• 22 local towns, cities would become one school district under Baldacci's plan, Karlene Hale, Capital Weekly
• Government School consolidation: Local voices, but muted, Victoria Wallack, State House News Service
• Supt. McIntire Questions Baldacci School Plan, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News

January 11.

• Ellsworth Due To Become Regional Hub, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American.
• Governor's School Plan Makes Waves, Victoria Wallack, Statehouse News Service
• Governor's Education Plan, Maine Public Radio Call-in with Commissioner Gendron and MEA President Chris Galgay, Host Fred Bever

January 12.

• Camden & Rockport would keep elementary school expansion debt under new state plan, Steve Rzasa, Camden Herald
• The Governor's Proposed School Consolidation Plan, Legislative Bulletin, Maine Municipal Association
• MDI towns, county are slated for single 'uber' district, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• Power grab, Gail Marshall, Mount Desert Islander
• MDI impact discussion, notice in Mount Desert Islander
• Governor Baldacci Talks To 207 About His Education Restructuring Plan, video from WCSH, Portland
• Baldacci's initiative meets resistance from school boards, Eileen Curry, Quoddy Tides
• SAD 16 blasts Baldacci's school plan, Mechele Cooper, Kennebec Journal

January 13.

• Baldacci budget relies heavily on reform ideas, Editorial, Portland Press Herald
• SAD 34 taking proactive approach on consolidation, Denise Goodman, Waldo Independent

January 14.

• Baldacci school plan has competition, Beth Quimby, Maine Sunday Telegram
• Tone down the rhetoric, Editorial, Morning Sentinel
• Superintendents question plan to reduce districts, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Q & A updated, Dept of Education LSRS issues page

January 16.

• Re-Redistricting Schools, Bangor Daily News Editorial
• Two other school consolidation plans emerge, Victoria Wallack, Statehouse News Service
• Public meeting Monday on school restructuring, Tom Minervino, Bar Harbor Times
• Lawmaker plans forums on Baldacci education plan, Nok-Noi Hauger, Bangor Daily News
• The choice: Excellence or economy, Paul Nussbaum, Philadelphia Inquirer

January 17

• School plan grabs attention at meeting, Beth Quimby, Portland Press Herald
• Funding formula question shelved, Tom Minervino, Bar Harbor Times
• Two more school reform plans emerge, Victoria Wallack, State House News Service
• Teachers, superintendents reject gov's consolidation plan, Victoria Wallack, State House News Service
• Legislators respond to Gov. Baldacci's school district plan, Karlene Hale, Capital Weekly
• Is consolidation the answer?, Editorial, Capital Weekly
• Maine Governor Seeks Sweeping Consolidation of Districts, Lesli A. Maxwell, Education Week
• Sound intentions, unsteady thought process, Thomas Hanson, Capital Weekly

January 18

• Baldacci: Schools must cut spending, Susan M. Cover, Kennebec Journal
• School restructure plan flawed, Gordon A. Donaldson Jr., Bangor Daily News
• Some Questions for the Governor, Editorial, Ellsworth American
• Q & A updated, Dept of Education LSRS issues page

January 19

• Loss of local control predicted in school consolidation, Robert Levin, Mount Desert Islander
• MDIHS funding challenge off table, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
• Administrators blast Baldacci comments, Joel Elliott, Morning Sentinel
• Competing school plans floated, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• Disastrous, Paul Murphy, Mount Desert Islander
• Consolidation plan met with skepticism, Ward Peck, South Portland Sentry

January 20

• Superintendents: Baldacci plan will chase off experience, talent, Mechele Cooper, Kennebec Journal
• Susan Gendron: Baldacci plan will reduce school costs, Op-ed, Bangor Daily News
• Incentives key to reducing school administrative costs, Judith Jones, Bangor Daily News
• Local districts vs. cost, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• Baldacci education plan draws fire, Jane Andrews, Republican Journal

January 21

• 'Super District' plan for schools, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Impractical goals, Mechele Cooper, Kennebec Journal
• Gendron: Baldacci's consolidation would lower property tax bills, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• audio clip of Commissioner Gendron explaining improving local control, Sun Journal

January 22

• Lack of trust key issue in school reorganization, Andy Kekacs, waldo.villagesoup.com
• Baldacci's school district reduction proposal faces some competition, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Giving up local control no way to fix Maine schools, Margaret T. Jeffery, Bangor Daily News
• Price disease will undermine school consolidation gains savings, Alan Haley, Kennebec Journal
• Gendron offers up tall tale, hyperbole, Lindsay Tice and Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Baldacci To Pitch School Consolidation Plan, Helen Couture, WCSH
• Baldacci hits road to promote his education plan, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Welcome to Region 12, please hold, Stephen Bowen, Courier - Gazette
• School Union 98 presentation by Superintendent Liebow, Community meeting, Mount Desert Island High School. (*.ppt)
• Resolution, Board of School Union 98, Mount Desert Island.

January 23

• Baldacci's savings figures questioned, Susan M. Cover, Kennebec Journal
• Waterville school officials blast governor's plan, Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel
• Education chief's pitch fails to sway local school board, Beth Brogan, Times Record
• That's what happens..., Joe Marshall, Mount Desert Islander, 1/25/2007
• Questions Concerning LSRS Plan, Maine School Board Association, 1/23/2007

January 24

• SAD 9 studying up, Don Waterhouse, Kennebec Journal
• Baldacci: School District Overspending "Terrible", Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• School plan raked over coals again, Tom Minervino, Bar Harbor Times
• Bowen & think tank develop consolidation option, Steve Rzasa, Camden Herald
• State school reform proposal won't halt Bath-Union 47 effort, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• School was my hustle, Al Diamon, Courier - Gazette
• Public hearing on school consolidation plan set for Feb. 5, Karlene Hale, Capital Weekly
• Plan for mega school districts has major flaws, Editorial, Portsmouth Herald News
• Gov.'s school redistricting plan flawed, Editorial, York Weekly
• Local schools boards at risk under Baldacci's plan, Mike Brown, Republican Journal

January 25

• Maine Legislature passed the Sinclair Law, Elizabeth Mitchell, Capital Weekly
• Baldacci plan blasted, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Critics take turns blasting Baldacci plan, Elbert Aull, Kennebec Journal
• Education Service Districts: Achieving school administrative cost savings while protecting local control and parental involvement, Stephen L. Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center
• School Administration Cost Savings Attainable without Sacrificing Local Control and Parental Involvement, Maine Heritage Policy Center press release
• Bangor: School consolidation plan 'disastrous', Dawn Gagnon, Bangor Daily News
• Governor Hears Reaction to School Plan, Morning Edition, Maine Public Radio
• Response from the Commissioner, Commisioner Gendron, Ellsworth American
• Q & A updated, Dept of Education LSRS issues page
• [SAD 71] No, thanks, Joshua Bodwell, York County Coast Star
• You have our attention now, governor, Christopher W. Babbidge, York County Coast Star
• Is the Governor's School Consolidation Plan the Answer?, Joe Bruno, Maine Republican Party
• Castine's Adams School Principal Muses on Plan, Nick Gosling, Ellsworth American
• District Consolidation Plan Is Skewered in Bucksport, Nick Gosling, Ellsworth American
• Gov.'s School Plan Kills Local Control, William C. Monroe, Ellsworth American
• Crowd blasts school plan, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
• Pitchforks and torches, Editorial, Mount Desert Islander

January 26

• Momentum builds against school plan, Jill Goldthwait, Mount Desert Islander
• A descent toward 'Administrationland', Margaret Jeffery, Mount Desert Islander
• Think tank presents its own 'compromise', Susan M. Cover, Kennebec Journal
• Governor's school plan faces tough climb, Editorial, Portland Press Herald
• Topsham, SAD 75 board members find devils in school reform details, Darcie Moore, Times Record
• Crowd doesn't like Baldacci's plan to trim education costs, Mallory Schafer, Foster's Daily Democrat
• Education Committee Mulls Over Plans For School Management Bill, WCSH
• Tough Place To Be, Editorial, Waldo Independent
• Legislative Committee Chairs Announce School Administration District Reform Public Hearings

January 27

• Crowd questions education plan, Beth Quimby, Portland Press Herald
• Apply free-market thinking to school systems, Max Crain, Bangor Daily News
• Gov. Baldacci, pull your plan, Editorial, Times Record
• Sen. Bowman to meet public, Portsmouth Herald

January 28

• Baldacci faces tough sell on school district reform, Beth Quimby, Sunday Telegram

January 29

• Baldacci hits bull's-eye with school plan, Angus King, Portland Press Herald
• Small schools wary of consolidation, Diana Bowley, Bangor Daily News
• Lessons on making changes to Maine's schools, Owen Maurais, Bangor Daily News

January 30

• SAD 36 leader raps governor's plan, Belinda Lee, Sun Journal
• Success in politics requires being politic, Editorial, Portland Press Herald
• Many plans, but only one roadshow, Editorial, Sun Journal
• School plans go to public on Feb. 5, Susan M. Cover, Kennebec Journal
• CSD 10 schools chief will 'blog' on plan, Kennebec Journal
• School consolidation isn't worth the disruption, Janet Preston, Kennebec Journal
• Governor's school plan will cause major damage, Diane Brandt, Kennebec Journal
• Town to host education forum today, Bangor Daily News
• Gov's School Plan Blasted At Washington County Meeting, Tom McLaughlin, WQDY-WALZ News
• Side-by-side comparisons of current proposals, (courtesy of Nancy Hudak and MEA), January 29, 2007
• Cost Savings or Unsupported Assumptions?, Maine School Superintendents Association
• Brookings backers push for state cuts, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• A Look to the Future: Maine Education Reform, Michael Fullan & Nancy Watson, Toronto, December 2006.
• Education commissioner wants local school assessments scrapped, Victoria Wallack, Statehouse News Service

January 31

• Pupils consider consolidated districts, Kennebec Journal
• State proposes eliminating local testing, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Supporting our schools, Amy Young, Bar Harbor Times
• School merger attacked, Dawn Gagnon, Bangor Daily News
• Local school governance is vital to Maine, Brian Hubbell, Bangor Daily News
• Political Observers Mull Chances of School Administration Consolidation, Fred Bever, Maine Public Radio
• From the Legislature - Consolidation of K-12 Administration, Rep. Bruce MacDonald, Lincoln County News
• People blast Baldacci's school redistricting, Chris Outcalt, York Weekly
• SAD 58 Board Opposes Regional Plan, D.J. Hart, Kingfield Irregular

February 1

• Plans for Cutting School Costs Outlined At Meeting In Edgecomb, Boothbay Register
• Mega-district school plan ripped again, Caitlin Hayes, Portsmouth Herald
• One bill for all plans: Legislature will likely combine best of school consolidation ideas, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Former lawmaker floats school alternative, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• A Plan Worth Considering, Editorial, Ellsworth American / Mount Desert Islander
• Maine College Republicans Express Concern Over Baldacci School Consolidation Plan, Maine College Republican Blog
• Consolidation plan rallies educators, Art Mayers, Courier - Gazette
• Regional plan not right for Maine school systems, Joan Thomas, Kennebec Journal
• Alternative To Super-Sized School Districts Drafted, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Resistance To School District Plan Builds, News 8 WMTW
• Governor's numbers don't add up, Kimberly Bedard and Barry McLaughlin, Bangor Daily News
• Regional support lacking, Dana Pearson, York County Coast Star
• Reps weigh in on school consolidation, Joshua Bodwell, York County Coast Star
• 4 in 5 school districts exceed EPS funding, Thomas Hanson, Capital Weekly
• School district consolidation plan gets chilly reception, Peter Smith, Falmouth Forecaster
• Groundbreaking concepts, Senator Beth Edmonds, Camden Herald
• Is 81% Meaningful?, Tom Hanson, Wiscasset Newspaper.

February 2

• A forlorn look ahead, John March, Mount Desert Islander
• State board backs schools plan deadline, Susan M. Cover, Portland Press Herald
• Distrust, apprehension and confusion, Terry Karkos, Sun Journal
• School reforms up for debate Monday, Sen. Peter Bowman, Press Herald
• SAD 11 looks to partner up, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• School funding plan unfair, Sen. John Nutting, Bangor Daily News
• Baldacci vows to 'fight hard' for school reform proposal, Beth Brogan, Times Record
• Mainers: Local control too costly, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Critics question budget focus on school cuts, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• Much at stake, Carrie McKay, Mount Desert Islander
• Great education, Cheri Lynn Ellison, Mount Desert Islander
• Consolidated Hearing on Consolidating Schools, MMA Legislative Bulletin
• Webcast with the Governor and Commissioner
• Islanders view consolidation as trouble on the horizon, Eva Murray, Courier-Gazette
• Wrong Focus?, Editorial, Waldo Independent
• School Consolidation, part 1, Talking Maine, Joe Bruno and Steven Bowen
• School Consolidation, part 2, Talking Maine, Joe Bruno and Steven Bowen
• School Consolidation, part 3, Talking Maine, Joe Bruno and Steven Bowen

February 3

• Shrink-to-fit school districts, Todd Benoit, Bangor Daily News
• Cost savings vs. identity: Students lay out the pros, cons of Baldacci's plan, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Magnificent empire of consolidation, Tom Taylor-Lash, Bangor Daily News

February 4

• Moving together into the future, Editorial, Morning Sentinel
• Baldacci puts political clout to test, Paul Carrier, Maine Sunday Telegram
• Hundreds expected for schools hearing, Susan M. Cover, Kennebec Journal
• Finding the way to greater efficiency in education, Senator Libby Mitchell, Morning Sentinel
• Reorganization plan calls for higher student-teacher ratios, Clarke Canfield, Associated Press

February 5

• A teacher speaks on large districts, Stephen Bowen, Courier - Gazette
• Greenville: Town wary of governor's school proposal, Diana Bowley, Bangor Daily News
• School plan battle brewing Baldacci calls for higher student-teacher ratios, less state funding, AP, Sun Journal
• Want a great debate? Talk about the schools, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Proposed school funding cuts spark concern, Clark Canfield, AP
• School reform plan isn't a done deal, Jeremy Fischer and Jackie Norton, Bangor Daily News
• Southern Maine as 1 school district?, Jessica Bedard, Greg Bergeron and Laci Erikson, Portsmouth Herald
• Why not combine islands into one school district?, Donna Damon, Working Waterfront
• Greenville: Town wary of governor's school proposal, Diana Bowley, Bangor Daily News
• Side-by-side comparisons of current proposals, (courtesy of Nancy Hudak and MEA), February 5, 2007
• Committees get earful on school consolidation plans, Glenn Adams, Associated Press
• School Administration Cutback Proposal Draws Hundreds To Legislative Hearing, Maine Public Radio
• Legislative Hearings Begin On School Reform Bills, Rhonda Erskine, WLBZ. [video]
• Alternative Ideas Offered To Governor's School Consolidation Plan, Matt Bush, WLBZ. [video]
• Island Schools Say They Have The Most To Lose, Rhonda Erskine, WLBZ. [video]

February 6

• Schools plan draws crowd, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Harmony's heart is its school, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• Legislators hear merger views, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Local input at heart of issue, Mainers say, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Struggle for control, Susan Cover, Morning Sentinel
• Critics say small schools at risk, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Baldacci pitches education plan to Fusion:Bangor, Anne Ravana, Bangor Daily News
• Mega-district plan evolving, Caitlin Hayes, Portsmouth Herald
• Q&A on School Regionalization, Maine Education Association
• Governor's school plan meets icy wall in Augusta, Art Mayers, Courier - Gazette
• Thoughtful decisions needed on consolidation, Joseph Mattos, Morning Sentinel
• SAD 21 opposes plan, Eileen M. Adams
• Two necessary and sufficient underpinnings: (Public hearing comments), Brian Hubbell

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February 7

• Join or read the new Local Maine Schools list-serv
• Clamor no substitute for reason in school debate, Editorial, Press Herald
• Report questions school spending, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Asking for a 'whole loaf', Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• Task: Keep local control, save money, Keith Edwards, Morning Sentinel
• Local school districts best plan for the children, Lindsey Alexander, Kennebec Journal
• School reform risks loss of community to region, Yvon Labbe and Tony Brinkley, Bangor Daily News
• Live audio feed from the Education Committee's discussions
• Baldacci serves consolidation pitch at breakfast, News 8 WMTW
• School plan opposition aired at Augusta hearing, Joyce Grondin, Bar Harbor Times
• SAD 40 Board Opposes Governor's Consolidation Proposal, Mike Colbert, Lincoln County News
• Education Committee Members Have Their Work Cut Out For Them, WCSH
• School District Regionalization: A Contentious Proposal, Rep. Tom Saviello, Kingfield Irregular
• Real solutions needed, Rachel Bishop, Bar Harbor Times
• No matter how well-grounded our skepticism: (Summary of yesterday's hearing), Brian Hubbell

February 8

• Local control is about more than money, David Sawicki, South Portland Sentry
• I'll fight for this, but I'll listen, governor says, Paula Gibbs, Wiscasset Newspaper
• Many Turn Out to Blast Governor's Education Plan, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Peter Mills sees little chance for Baldacci schools plan, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• The critical calm, after the storm, Editorial, Sun Journal
• Island schools don't fit consolidation mold, Donna Damon, Press Herald
• Education Committee's schedule: 2/08, Local-Maine-Schools list-serv
• Mainers dislike governor's school plan, Joyce Grondin, Capital Weekly
• Governor's plan is not so bold, Editorial, York County Coast Star
• Houlton: SAD 29 board opposes Baldacci school plan, Jen Lynds, Bangor Daily News
• Work together, Editorial, Capital Weekly
• Consolidation hearing brings back memories, Karlene Hale, Capital Weekly
• Legislators hear from the public at Scarborough school forum, Leslie Bridgers, keepmecurrent.com
• Comparison of Proposals to Restructure Central Office Administration (*.ppt), Owen Maurais

February 9

• Political firewall, Editorial, Mount Desert Islander
• Education stampede, Gail Marshall, Mount Desert Islander
• The dirty work, Rachel Bishop, Mount Desert Islander
• School consolidation is false economy, Michael Martin-Zboray, Mount Desert Islander
• Education Committee: 2/09 schedule and notes from 2/08, Brian Hubbell Local Maine Schools list-serv
• SAD 35 not swayed by governor's LSRS district consolidation plan, Mallory Schafer, Foster's Democrat
• Feb. 8 Donaldson presentation, Gail Marshall, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• Committee would be greatly relieved…: (Education Committee: 2/09, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• MaineWatch: School Consolidation, MPBN Television
• School plan draws derision from educators, Chessie Johnson, Quoddy Tides

February 10

• Condolidation cause ripples in Union 42, Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• Unanswered questions on school consolidation, Barbara Leopold, Morning Sentinel
• Consolidation plan endangers island communities, Roger Berle, Bangor Daily News
• Consolidation 'dialogue', Martha E. Ward, Bangor Daily News
• What to say to legislators?, Dick Atlee, Local-Maine-Schools list-serv
• Re: What to say to legislators?, John March, Local-Maine-Schools list-serv

February 11

• Waste and Mismanagement at the State Department of Education, Susan Poppish, Lincoln County News
• In case some of you really are cracking your knuckles: (What to say to legislators?), Brian Hubbell, Local-Maine-Schools list-serv
• Re: What to say to legislators?, Paul Murphy, Local-Maine-Schools list-serv
• Re: What to say to legislators?, Paul Murphy, Local-Maine-Schools list-serv
• Re: What to say to legislators?, Dick Atlee, Local-Maine-Schools list-serv
• Re: What to say to legislators?, Paul Murphy, Local-Maine-Schools list-serv
• Re: What to say to legislators?, Brian Hubbell, Local-Maine-Schools list-serv
• Re: What to say to legislators?, John March, Local-Maine-Schools list-serv
• Re: What to say to legislators?, Paul Murphy, Local-Maine-Schools list-serv
• Re: What to say to legislators?, Brian Hubbell, Local-Maine-Schools list-serv
• Hazards and benefits of discussing this publicly, Brian Hubbell, Local-Maine-Schools list-serv
• Self-directed reorganization, Brian Hubbell, Local-Maine-Schools list-serv

February 12

• Curriculum creativity: Consolidation plan generates some concerns, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• Meet the governor halfway on school consolidation, Jeffrey M. Temple, Kennebec Journal
• Consolidate towns as well, Dennis Maddi, Kennebec Journal
• Pending proposals for School "Regionalization", Gail Marshall, Local-Maine-Schools list-serv
• At what cost reform?; Distance equals distance; Clarifying the plan; Taking the low road; Deer Isle students discuss, Bangor Daily News
• An exchange with Dick Dimond and Dick's 3-bullet summary, Local-Maine-Schools list-serv

February 13

• School consolidation hearing crowd resists proposal, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• Consolidation plan doesn`t meet test, Albert Waitt, Press Herald
• Residents voice their concerns, Jessica Alaimo, Sun Journal
• Baldacci takes school plan to The County, Rachel Rice, Bangor Daily News
• Maine school consolidation plan under fire, Jessica L. Tonn, Education Week
• Number crunchers busy finding alternatives to gov's school plan, Victoria Wallack, State House News Service
• Governor's Plan A Continuing Concern, D.J. Hart, Kingfield Irregular
• o Committee considers collaborations: (2/13/2007: Summary of Education Committee's work session) Local-Maine-Schools list-serv

February 14

• Nutting: Cut fat before schools Susan M. Cover, Kennebec Journal
• Auburn forum set for Thursday on school consolidation plan, Sun Journal
• Region 9 board rejects school consolidation, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• SAD 9 critical of plan, Wesley Littlefield, Sun Journal
• Legislators to discuss GrowSmart report, Bar Harbor Times
• Move on district reform, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• Wiscasset Board Nixes Governor's Plan, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Union 74 Supt. Comments on Baldacci's Plan, Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News
• School Officials Angry Over Assessment Tiff, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Speak out on Governor's school plan, Editorial, Republican Journal

February 15

• Finally, a True Dialogue on Education, Michele Woodbury, Ellsworth American
• Small Is Beautiful in Economics, Education, Arnold Greenberg, Ellsworth American
• SAD 56 board opposes state's reorganization plan, Peter Taber, Waldo Independent
• Local school control has limits, Ellie Multer, Bangor Daily News
• Reply to "Local Control Has It's Limits", Gail Marshall, Local-Maine-Schools list-serv

February 16

• Baldacci, Gendron Open To School Plan Alternatives, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American /MDISlander
• SAD 9 resists, Valerie Tucker, Morning Sentinel
• Do we really care much about local school boards?: Local control advocates are actually the minority, Joseph R. Reisert, Kennebec Journal
• Plan stirs fears about fate of schools' assets, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Baldacci's school plan numbers all don't add up, Keith Cook, Morning Sentinel
• Local jokers, Al Diamon, Courier - Gazette
• Class sizes will not change says commissioner, Steve Rzasa, Camden Herald
• League pans governor's consolidation, Laurie Schreiber, Bar Harbor Times
• Maine school boards go against governor's plan, Karlene Hale, Capital Weekly
• School systems anxious to get state figures, Karlene Hale, Capital Weekly

February 17

• Governor should use caution with school plan, Peter Konieczko, Kennebec Journal
• How to handle the state's single largest expenditure, Rebecca Wyke, Bangor Daily News

February 18

• SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION: Mission daunting for panel, Susan Cover, Kennebec Journal
• Lawmakers: Yes, we get the message -- cut taxes, Paul Carrier, Sunday Telegram
• Maine lawmakers seek middle ground on school consolidation, Robert Cook, Foster's Daily Democrat

February 19

• Changes likely for Baldacci school plan, Mal Leary, Bangor Daily News
• Another round on school consolidation, Stephen Bowen, Courier - Gazette
• Smart growth search has no easy answers, Carol Williams, Bar Harbor Times
• Protect our schools or we'll find new ones, Sarah Lyons Price, Daniel Price, M.D., South Portland Sentry

February 20

• Consolidation fear, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Don't rush school reform, Pete Johnson, Bangor Daily News

February 21

• Make teachers do work for their sizable salaries, Bob Doel, Kennebec Journal
• School Board extends administrators' pacts, Rachel Ganong, Times Record
• School plan compromises quality, Robert Stuart, Bangor Daily News
• Education cleanup, Gail Marshall, Bangor Daily News
• Collaborating School Districts Find Savings, Challenges, Caroline Cornish, WSCH
• part 1 [Windows media]
• part 2 [Windows media]
• School consolidation half-baked, MSAD 56 Board of Directors , Republican Journal
• Super-sized districts, Edmund Hartt, Camden Herald

February 22

• Spending-cut advocates now defending local control, Jim Brunelle, Morning Sentinel
• Brookings Institution Report Discussed, Jennifer Osborn, Ellsworth American
• Appleton & Hope school committees oppose governor's school district consolidation plan, Steve Rzasa, Camden Herald
• Porter does not understand Baldacci's plan, David Connerty-Marin, Capital Weekly
• Assault On Our Schools, SAD 56 Board of Directors, Waldo Independent

February 23

• Consolidation hit at SAD 9 forum, Betty Jesperson, Kennebec Journal
• Consolidation opponents are not just educators, David Sawicki, South Portland Sentry
• Too much change can be a bad thing, Jill Goldthwait, Mount Desert Islander
• Resources on School and District Size, Gordon Donaldson, February 2007
• Getting Our Facts Straight to Make Maine's Schools Better, Gordon Donaldson, University of Maine, February 21, 2007
• An alternative to the governor's school reorganization plan, Dave Tilton, Times Record
• Consolidation and the 'cult of efficiency', Charles Dorn, Times Record

February 24

• A Baldacci by any other name..., Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• Modern dictators, Clarence Cook, Bangor Daily News

February 25

• UM professor who inspired consolidation rejects plan, Emily Southwick, Maine Campus
• Inside student ratios, Sally Speich, Sun Journal
• SAD 9 candidates agree Baldacci schools plan a mistake, Betty Jesperson, Morning Sentinel

February 26

• We Cannot Afford the Status Quo, Chris Galgay, MEA
• Difficult Regionalization on the Front Burner, MEA News and Views
• State late with school-funding numbers, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Camden-Rockport education officials join opposition to school district consolidation, Camden Herald

February 27

• Sensible school reform popular cause in Maine, Ron Bancroft, Press Herald
• Rep. Edgecomb Says School Consolidation Plan Is 'Inexplicably' Being Rushed Through Legislature, Maine Republican Party

February 28

• Gendron withdraws request for student-educator ratio change; no teaching positions to be cut, Beth Staples, Village Soup
• Baldacci's plan amended to avoid teacher cuts, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Baldacci pulls class size increase, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• SAD 1 embraces regionalization efforts, fears communities losing local control, Rachel Rice, Bangor Daily News
• Governor withdraws plan to reduce the number of school teachers, Maine Things Considered, MPBN
• School Restructuring Plan Still Up In The Air, Jennifer Rooks, WSCH

March 1

• Beware of misleading propaganda, Editorial, Republican Journal
• Baldacci backs off on parts of school reform, AP, Press Herald
• How about Just One Cyberintendent?, Todd R. Nelson, Ellsworth American
• Seven school consolidation options mulled, Jim Kanak, York County Coast Star
• Baldacci backs off plan to cut teachers, Rachel M. Collins, Portsmouth Herald

March 2

• Create solutions to improve student achievement, Susan Gendron, Mount Desert Islander
• Reply to Commissioner Gendron, Paul Murphy, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• Panel weighs withholding school aid to spur ideas fund, Susan Cover, Press Herald
• Consolidation plan limits democracy, Harvey K. Shue, Bangor Daily News
• 'Components'of Education Committee's regionalization bill, Legislative Office of Policy and Legal Analysis, February 27, 2007
• Summary of Education Committee's 'Straw Votes', Legislative Office of Policy and Legal Analysis, March 1, 2007
• Final School Reform Plan Next Week, Legislative Bulletin, Maine Municipal Association
• Out of the fight, a fighting chance, Jill Goldthwait, Mount Desert Islander

March 3

• Consolidation debate finally picking up steam, Editorial, Press Herald
• School system consolidation talks resume, Francis X. Quinn, Associated Press
• Certainly carrots, but also no doubt a few sticks: (Education Committee's progress update), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list

March 4

• Committee school talks focus on savings, Francis X. Quinn, AP

March 5

• School district consolidation plan evolving, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• Islesboro School, Murray Carpenter, MPBN [audio]
• Education Committee's "Spencer-Herman" draft, Education Committee in collaboration with MSMA and MMA, March 5, 2007

March 6

• Consolidation may be delayed a year, Keith Edwards, Press Herald
• Legislative Update: March 6, Dick Durost, MPA
• MEA's Guidelines for Regionalization, Mark L. Gray, MEA

March 7

• Consolidation plan needs teeth to succeed, Editorial, Press Herald.
• Education panel would slow consolidation, Victoria Wallack, State House News Service
• Silent Consolidators, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• Reply to BDN Editorial, Gail Marshall, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• Let's get real about local control, state spending, Martha Freeman

March 8

• Houlton: School officials explore regionalization, Jen Lynds, Bangor Daily News
• Panel to offer toned-down schools plan, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Compromise emerges, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• Education Committee's letter reporting to Appropriations Committee, March 8, 2007
• Education Committee's chart of proposal's components with Committee's votes, March 8, 2007
• Department of Education's detail of projected savings through Governor's plan, March 8, 2007.
• Senator Mills' 'minority report' proposal to Appropriations, March 8, 2007.
• Some divisions are plainly emerging from the stress: (March 8 legislative update), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• Just to give some scale: (Consequences of the alternate proposed district sizes), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• Education Committee Submits Redistricting Plan, WCSH, [video]
• Committee alternatives to Baldacci school plan aired, Francis X. Quinn, Associated Press
• Governor Baldacci Critical of Legislative Response to His Consolidation Plan, MPBN [audio]

March 9

• Proposal softens merger strategy, Keith Edwards, Press Herald
• Panel softens school reforms, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Baldacci: Plan doesn't go far enough, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Not enough, Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• Superintendents: Consolidation will cost money, Alan Crowell, Morning Sentinel
• Commissioner reached bogus conclusions, Paul Murphy, Mount Desert Islander
• Baldacci to present weekly radio talks, Chelsey Ledue, Bangor Daily News
• Education Committee's School Reform, Legislative Bulletin, Maine Municipal Association, March 9, 2007
• Baldacci pans ed panel's plan, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• Area school officials react guardedly, Times Record

March 10

• Lessons from the North wayne School House, Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• Plans for school mergers advance, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Education Committee plan will make change, Senator Libby Mitchell, Kennebec Journal
• Schools forced to wait on state funding figures, Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel
• Governor talks about school reform in inaugural radio address, Associated Press
• text of Governor's radio address: "A call to action"

March 11

• Committee plan chokes on real consolidation, Editorial, Sun Journal
• Education committee dithers and then punts, Editorial, Sunday Telegram

March 12

• Listen to educators, Walter Kumiega, Bangor Daily News
• Governor Baldacci Outlines Education Plan to Androscoggin Chamber, Governor's press release

March 13

• Jay, SAD 36 discuss collaboration, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• New plan for school mergers, Beth LaMontagne, Portsmouth Herald
• Lengthen the school year?, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Dirigo, Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• Tax panel makes it clear it has own ideas, Francis X. Quinn, Associated Press
• Superintendent grapples with budget, Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel
• Exigencies of real-life and fallacies of logic aside: (3/13/2007: Gendron, Rier, and Silvernail at Appropriations), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• An open letter to the Education Committee, Gail Marshall, Local Maine Schools list-serv

March 14

• If the savings are so reasonably achievable…: (follow-up), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• School budget impact on tax rate uncertain, Mary Grow, Kennebec Journal
• If we want better schooling, we have to pay for it, Editorial, Press Herald
• Let towns decide school efficiencies, Kristin Malin, Press Herald
• Gendron: This plan state's best approach, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Let them learn in ghettos, Senator Peter Mills, Kennebec Journal
• A warning reminiscent of Dwight, Senator Peter Mills, Bangor Daily News
• 3/13/2007: Gendron, Rier, and Silvernail at Appropriations (follow up), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list-serv

March 15

• Susan Gendron, Maine State Commissioner of Education, to Discuss "Leadership: Ripening an Issue" on Tuesday, April 3, press release, Maine Today
• State school aid figures unknown, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Help Students & Taxpayers, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• Lead by example, Editorial, Times Record
• Superintendents' Future: Ominous, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• School Consolidation: an open letter to the Appropriations Committee, Kate Chaplin, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• Oguqnuit seeking legislative relief ... again, Jim Kanak, York County Coast Star

March 16

• Government Legislature's growing budget - now $27 million - under scrutiny, Victoria Wallack, State House News Service
• Re: 3/13/2007: Gendron, Rier, and Silvernail at Appropriations, John March, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• School Consolidation: The Dieter's Fable, MMA Legislative Bulletin, 3/16/2007
• Three Friday afternoon work sessions, one Sunday, one Monday, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• Baldacci, slow pace on school consolidation, Editorial, Portsmouth Herald
• o Cost drivers, DoE’s information corner, and two citizen imperatives: (March 16: notes from Education Committee session), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• Re: March 16: notes from Education Committee session, Paul Murphy, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• Re: March 16: notes from Education Committee session, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list-serv

March 17

• School consolidation is a hot topic in Eliot, Portsmouth Herald

March 18

• Governor says it's March Madness in the State House, Associated Press
• Governor chose wrong target for savings, Stacie Everett, Sun Journal
• State has controlling interest in schools, John W. Porter, Sunday Telegram
• Serious issues not taken seriously, Nancy Grape, Sunday Telegram
• The time to solve Maine's looming fiscal crisis is now, not later, John F. "Dugan" Shipway, Sunday Telegram

March 19

• o Another claim to a section of the rhubarb: (3/19/2007: Education Subcommittee of Appropriations), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• Re: 3/19/2007: Education Subcommittee of Appropriations, John March, Local Maine Schools list-serv

March 20

• Time at hand for changes in education, David Casavant, Bangor Daily News
• District merger talks simmer, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• Businesses rally in State House to urge no new taxes, Glenn Adams, Associated Press
• o "…Numbers -- not the realities?": Silvernail & Carrignan: (Report from Education Subcommittee of Appropriations - March 20), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list-serv

March 21

• Schools are caught in state's numbers game, Editorial, Sun Journal
• Still time for compromise on education reform, Stephen L. Bowen, Bangor Daily News
• School district plan opposed in Kittery, Steven Gintz, Foster's Daily Democrat
• Education Committee's Majority Report (Farrington, Edgecomb)
• Education Committee's Majority Report "Strengthened" (Bowman)
• Education Committee's Minority Report (Mills/Burgess)

March 22

• Coalition Position, MMA, MEA, Maine Chamber of Commerce
• A position in support of our schools, School Union 98, Mount Desert Island
• Baldacci: State needs new model of doing business, Susan M. Cover, Kennebec Journal
• School reform talk becomes multiple choice test, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• Local schools held hostage, Editorial, Times Record
• Just one, very big, village, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools
• Chump change, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools

March 23

• Clouds gather on the appropriations front, Jill Goldthwait, Mount Desert Islander
• Union 98 School Board adopts position paper on school consolidation, Bar Harbor Times
• School funding wars, Beth LaMontagne, Portsmouth Herald
• Finding the Sweet Spot, Legislative Bulletin, Maine Municipal Association
• Reorganization Timeline (Gendron), March 23
• Price of local approval (3/23: Education Subcommittee of Appropriations), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• The expedience inherent in a process that both begins and ends in Augusta (3/23: Education Subcommittee of Appropriations (short version), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• Taxation fractures, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list-serv

March 24

• Plan sets '08 deadline for consolidation, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Mandatory Consolidation, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list-serv

March 25

• Honor local control, Elizabeth Bullard, Sun Journal
• Hot iron for education, Reginald W. Emery, Sun Journal
• Value of local control, Robert English, Sun Journal
• Appropriations' plan: 3/24, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list-serv

March 26

• Op-ed ignored information, David Connerty-Marin, Department of Education, Sun Journal
• Portland Regional Chamber Weighs in on Education Reform Debate, MaineToday.com
• Only so much air: Appropriations Subcommittee on Education: 3/26, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• Contact your legislator, Gail Marshall, Local Maine Schools list-serv

March 27

• Time for the stick, Editorial, Press Herald
• 07-08 EPS GPA, Scenarios 'A' and 'B', Maine DOE
• Administrative letter accompanying above, Commissioner Gendron
• Savings From School Consolidation Plans Uncertain, Jessica L. Tonn, Education Week

March 28

• State School Aid Figures Delayed and Dwindling, Victoria Wallack, State House News Service
• State releases money projections to schools, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• District reform on track, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• Subcommittee Hurries to Tie Together School Consolidation Plan, Victoria Wallack, State House News Service
• State must not let school reform just roll away, Editorial, Sun Journal
• o Gross aggregated assumptions are readily accepted, if only because they are so desperately needed, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• Open letter to MDI legislators, Scott McFarland, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• What Do We Offer to the Students and Community?, John Hedman, Education Night presentation at Woodland, School Union 122

March 29

• No idle threat, Eric Henry, Bar Harbor Times
• What Would Toyota Do?, Todd R. Nelson, Ellsworth American
• Gov.'s school plan fought, Beth LaMontagne, Portsmouth Herald
• School Consolidation, Cindy Brotzman, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• Letter from New Sweden, Jennifer Moore, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• Open letter to Governor Baldacci, Dick Atlee, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• School consolidation holds real peril, School Union 98, Mount Desert Islander

March 30.

• What did the Education Committee really do?, Rep. David Farrington and Rep. Roberta Muse, Press Herald
• Voters deserve a say in consolidation effort, Barbara Merrill, Bangor Daily News
• School Consolidation Plan, Legislative Bulletin, MMA
• Harpswell might get less from the state, Beth Brogan, Times Record

March 31

• What Pemetic School would look like under EPS, Skip Strong, Local Maine Schools list-serv

April 1

• Don't fall asleep on tax relief, John W. Porter, Sunday Telegram

April 2

• School administrative reform advancing, Editorial, Press Herald
• It's every high school for itself, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• School district plans vetted, Beth LaMontagne, Portsmouth Herald
• Southwest Harbor holding forum on school consolidation, Carol Williams, Bar Harbor Times

April 3

• Transcending old boundaries to find a path to the future, Editorial, Press Herald
• The Sinclair Act: An Uncertain Legacy, Gordon A. Donaldson, Jr., 2007
• What can be centralized and what must remain decentralized in an effective educational organization?, Gordon A. Donaldson, Jr., January, 2007
• New School Plan Must Balance, Not Silence, Voices, Gordon A. Donaldson, Jr., March 1, 2007
• Bold or Blind?: Update on the State's Plan to Centralize School Control, Gordon A. Donaldson, Jr., March 18, 2007
• School Unions in Maine: A Viable Alternative, Gordon A. Donaldson, Jr., April 2, 2007
• Mount Desert, Gail Marshall, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Cranberry Isles, Kate Chaplin, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Mount Desert selectmen join consolidation opposition, Tom Minervino, Bar Harbor Times
• Bar Harbor signs on, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list

April 4

• School reform taking shape, Jessica Alaimo, Sun Journal
• School unions a good option, Gordon Donaldson, Bangor Daily News
• Parlor Game, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• PDK/Gallup poll of the public's attitude toward public schools, September, 2006.
• April 4: Education Committee clears deck and picks vehicle, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Praises be to the teachers, Steve Masone, Courier-Gazette

April 5

• SAD 36 Consolidation forum set for tonight, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• School plan ponders a regional future, Mary Grow, Kennebec Journal
• Starks school is important part of community, Carol Riemer Coles, Morning Sentinel
• Deeply disturbed, Skip Strong, Bar Harbor Times
• State government must be stopped, Wells and Mary Bacon, Bar Harbor Times
• Castine School Meeting Talks Consolidation, Secession, Nick Gosling, Ellsworth American
• Open letter to MDI legislators, Scott McFarland, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Letter to the Islander, Ned Johnston, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Open letter from a voting citizen, Jennifer Crandall, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Private and Special Dos-a-dos: ((Still at it): Appropriations Subcommittee, 4/05), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list

April 6

• Governor embarking on power grab, Gail Marshall, Mount Desert islander
• SAD 36 directors don't favor consolidation plan, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• Bucksport: Schools pact OK raises questions, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• Turner drives for budget validation (Appropriations Subcommittee, 4/06), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Maine Watch: A Discussion with Maine's Governor and Legislative Leaders, MPBN [video]
• Towns unite to resist state, Oka Hutchins and Robert Levin, Mount Desert Islander

April 7

• Lawmakers seek to assure teachers, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• A lot harder than it looks, Editorial, Times Record
• School funds eyed to bridge budget gap, Francis X. Quinn (AP), Bangor Daily News

April 8

• Maine SAUs with over 2500 students, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list

April 9

• Maine SAUs with over 2500 students: CORRECTION, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Map of districts with 2500+ students
• Statistical malpractice, Ralph Chapman, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Cost/Size of Maine High Schools, 2004 (graph), David Silvernail
• School funds eyed to bridge budget gap, Francis X. Quinn, (AP), Bangor Daily News
• Bedeviling details (Teachers contracts and transparency): Appropriations subcommittee 4/09, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Subcommittee draft legislation as of April 4, [3.2Mb, *.pdf]
• Appropriations gets school report, Mainetoday.com
• Firmer, harder, and more durable with fewer exceptions: ((4/09 rounds 2&3) Appropriations' subcommittee and, briefly, Appropriations), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Democracy suffers from school reorganization, Ralph Chapman, Weekly Packet

April 10

• State may renege on school funding promise, Victoria Wallack, State House news
• Panel: Cut districts to 80 by July '08, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Finally, a chance for workable school reform, Ron Bancroft, Press Herald
• School merger proposal advances, Jessica Alaimo, Sun Journal
• 80 school units goal of panel, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Structural budget hole, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• Appropriations Subcommittee outline draft, April 9, 2007
• Democracy suffers from school reorganization, Ralph Chapman, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Rural lawmakers line up against the latest consolidation plan, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• Department of Education's summary of Appropriations' proposal, April 10, 2007
• Bangor as benchmark (Report on meeting with Bangor Daily News editorial board), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• April 10 Email discussion list posts

April 11

• Consolidation: Newest version already troubled, Victoria Wallack, State House News
• Consolidation forum draws crowd in Jay, Donna Perry, Sun Journal
• Kittery-York schools?, Caitlin Hayes, Seacoastonline
• Care about education?, Ellen Grover, Bar Harbor Times
• The "duh" test, Trisha Rhodes, Bar Harbor Times
• Bumper sticker and button proposed by Email discussion list member
• Teachers' Association position, Bar Harbor Teachers' Association
• The push for school consolidation gets a push back, Lee Burnett, Portland Phoenix, [May 2003]
• Split from state in the future for MDI schools?, Tom Minervino, Bar Harbor Times
• Minot grapples with school, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal
• April 11 Email discussion list posts

April 12

• Vermont Proposes Consolidation, Rural Policy Matters, April 2007
• [View from Vermont] Need to take time on consolidation, Editorial, Burlington Free Press
• Regionalization will hurt, not help, local towns, Douglas Ludewig, Kennebec Journal
• Transparency in school budgeting a good thing, Editorial, Press Herald
• New School Plan Expected to Get Rocky Review, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Stop the Runaway Train, Editorial, Ellsworth American
• Contact Information For Hancock County Legislators:, Ellsworth American
• SWH Selectmen vote in favor of u98 position, Dick Atlee, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Southwest Harbor forum powerpoint, 4/11 (*.ppt)
• Southwest Harbor's Pemetic School compared with EPS, forum presentation by Principal Dianne Helprin, 4/11 (*.ppt)
• How EPS has shifted funds from small schools to large: a linear regression, Ralph Chapman, (4/12)
• April 12 Email discussion list posts

April 13

• Inching closer to consolidation, Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• State proposes cutting sports funding, Nok-Noi Hauger, Bangor Daily News
• State shorts town, school funds cut: Tremont selectmen oppose mandatory consolidation, Mark Good, Mount Desert Islander
• Stop the runaway train, Editorial, Mount Desert Islander
• The latest, ...to steam the paste out from under your wig, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Sample Talking Points, Dick Atlee, Local Maine Schools, 4/13
• Tremont Community Forum, April 26
• Appropriations Subcommittee's final report, (4/11)
• April 13 Email discussion list posts

April 14

• State cuts may threaten school sports, activities, AP, Press Herald
• School cut topples trust, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• April 14 Email discussion list posts

April 15

• Schools begin consolidation talks, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• Maine badly needs bold educational reform to be a success, Peter Ventre, Sunday Telegram
• State must deal with costly elephants, Rep. Seth Berry, Sun Journal
• Consistency and reliability vs. shuck and jive, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list

April 16

• EPS formula shifts funds to larger schools (graph), Ralph Chapman, (4/13)

April 17

• Updated Proposed General Purpose Aid for Local Schools (GPA) Funding for FY 2007-08, Commissioner Gendron

April 18

• Consolidation criticized anew at town forum, Carol Williams, Bar Harbor Times
• Concerned for children and community, Kari Seavey, Bar Harbor Times
• Radical restructuring, Ellen D Nelson, Bar Harbor Times
• Business coalition boosts consolidation, Victoria Wallack, State House News Service
• "....reluctant to name names", Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Orwell would understand, John March, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Paris 1919, Augusta 2007, Dick Atlee, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Regionalization Models Survey, Commissioner Gendron
• State Education Head Defends School Plan, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Serious, Deliberate Consideration Needed, Jo Bryer, Lincoln County News

April 19

• Business Coalition to Lobby For School Restructuring Plan, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Schools Would Get Short End If Budget Passes, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Open letter to legislators and Commissioner Gendron, Down East Educational Partnership

April 20

• Web site is consolidation clearinghouse, Robert Levin, Mount Desert Islander
• Bewildered over consolidation, Rep. Ted Koffman, Mount Desert Islander
• Governor tosses gasoline on the fire, Jill Goldthwait, Mount Desert Islander
• Castine school panel fears consolidation plan, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• The bigger picture: state budget pinch, and health care, Dick Atlee, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list

April 21

• SAD 75 mulls filing suit on state funding, Darcie Moore, Times Record
• Summary of Appropriation Subcommittee's School Consolidation Proposal - April 10, 2007 Draft, MSMA, 4/19

April 22

• School system overhaul still facing tests, Francis X. Quinn, Associated Press
  • A periscope view into the Governor's trenchwork, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• One way to look at 80 SAUs, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• One way to look at 80 SAUs - consolidation is untenable and misguided. Cost savings should be focus., Margaret T. Jeffery, Esq., Local Maine Schools Email discussion list

April 23

• Rural Schools Deserve Voice in Consolidation, Reps. Tom Saviello and Gary Knight, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Effect of EPS as a function of school size, Ralph Chapman, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Explanatory notes, Ralph Chapman
• Linear regression graphic (color), Ralph Chapman
• School district mergers still in the works, Kim Lincoln, Courier - Gazette

April 24

• Shifting winds are moving school plan, Editorial, Sun Journal
• Consolidation is another 'risky, untested scheme', Rep. Ken Fletcher, Morning Sentinel

April 25

• SAD 17 ready to talk about consolidation, Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• Too little too late, Maurice Joseph Marshall, Bar Harbor Times
• School consolidation, David C. Wiggin, Camden Herald

April 26

• Overhaul Maine education, but carefully, Rep. Henry Joy and Rep. Jeff Gifford, Bangor Daily News
• Appropriations Sub-Committee's "School Consolidation Plan" Will Destroy What Maine Parents, Taxpayers and Voters Value Most..., Representative James Schatz

April 27

• Rural schools deserve voice in consolidation, Rep. Bill Browne and Rep. Herb Clar
• Legislators respond to letter about consolidation, Appropriations subcommittee on education
• Maine is headed in the wrong direction, John March, Mount Desert Islander
• Economic plan draws varied local response, Edward French, Quoddy Tides
• Most high schools flunk federal standards, Kevin Wack, Press Herald
• "...failure of many schools to meet the required targets is consistent with our position", AsMaineGoes.com
• April 27: Report from Augusta, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list

April 28

• Benedicta: Residents seek to save school, Jen Lynds, Bangor Daily News
• Email discussion list discussion about Benedicta

April 29

• Follow our leaders on school consolidation, Peter Traill and Peter Sassano, Sun Journal
• Half of Maine's high schools failed, Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• There she goes again, Paul Murphy, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list

May 1

• York, Kittery talk teamwork, Chris Outcalt, Seacoast Online
• Legislators hear mixed opinions on Peaks, Ann S. Kim, Press Herald
• Tuesday's pedagogical exercise, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Meaning and mystery, Al Diamon, KeepMeCurrent.com
• Letter to Representative Koffman, G. Andy Chase
• Consolidation would have big impact on Tremont, Carol Williams, Bar Harbor Times
• Legislators Work Toward Bi-Partisan Budget, MPBN (audio)

May 2

• Meaning and mystery, Al Diamon, Courier - Gazette
• GOP, Dems work on state budget details, Mal Leary, (Capitol News Service), Bangor Daily News
• Rural caucus pushes more flexible consolidation plan, Victoria Wallack, State House News
• Group strives to alter school reform package for Maine, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• School consolidation plans discussed by town, Caitlin Hayes, York Weekly
• State to fight taxes with more taxes, Editorial, York Weekly
• Fewer teachers and buses (Appropriations live budget discussion), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Opposes consolidation, MDIHS Educators' Association, Bar Harbor Times
• Rural Caucus Wants to Slow Down District Consolidation Plan, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News

May 3

• Consolidation Opponents Organize, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• State's school plan still needs work, Editorial, Waldo Independent
• A "Blended" Plan for School District Reorganization, Representative Farrington's draft circulated at a meeting of the Maine Small Schools Coalition
• Regionalization or hostile take over? (includes position statement of the Bar Harbor Teachers' Association), Maine Education Association, 4/26

May 4

• Save Our Schools Petition
• Questions remain on school proposal, Joel Elliott, Morning Sentinel
• Sore about school plan, Wesley Johnson, Sun Journal
• Consolidation plan panned. Mark Good, Mount Desert Islander
• School group touts "blended" plan, Morning Sentinel
• More Sensible School Regionalization Plan Emerges, MMA, Legislative Bulletin
• Update on Configuration of Regional School Units, Commissioner Gendron, DoE informational letter

May 5

• 'Blended' approach gains favor, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• School consolidation battle brews, Caitlin Hayes, SeaCoastOnline

May 6

• Governor stands by goals for school savings and tax relief, Governor John Baldacci, Sunday Telegram
• Monmouth would suffer under new school plan, Joseph Saunders, Kennebec Journal

May 7

• SAD 17 votes tonight: Sharing with SAD 39, Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• The school district puzzle, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Draft of 'Blended Plan' statutory language, 5/01, [*.rtf]

May 8

• Letter forwarded to the Moosehead Messenger and Portland Telegram, Pete Johnson, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Comments on Blended Plan language, Ralph Chapman, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Maine Lawmakers Wrestle With Consolidation Plan, Laura Greifner, Education Week
• Budget bargainers shy at hurdles, Francis X. Quinn, Associated Press
• Oxford Hills: School district comes courting, but SAD 17 already eyes a date, Leslie H. Dixon

May 9

• Unfortunate misinformation, Jim Rier, Sun Journal
• The public should have say in any consolidation, Douglas Ludewig, Kennebec Journal
• Leaders hunt elusive consolidation deal, Victoria Wallack, State House News
• School district merger plan remains a work in progress, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• Lawmakers race clock on school consolidation, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Don't Barter Schools, Catherine Drew-Burdette, Wally Covell, Margaret Jeffery, Dick Atlee, Bangor Daily News
• School plan fight not over, town says, Caitlin Hayes, York Weekly
• Easton uniting against Baldacci school plan, Rachel Rice, Bangor Daily News

May 10

• Winthrop Schools: Consolidation shadows budget, Steve Cartwright, Kennebec Journal
• Competing consolidation plans? No problem. Consolidate them, Stephen L. Bowen, Kennebec Journal
• No future school districts have been named yet, Commissioner Susan Gendron, Morning Sentinel
• Terrible idea, Bo Greene, Bar Harbor Times
• Spread the word, Gail Marshall, John March, Margaret Jeffrey, Dick Atlee, Bar Harbor Times
• Agreement on New School Plan May Prove Elusive, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Collins Visits in Response to Students' Letter, Nick Gosling, Ellsworth American
• Maine Needs to Become "Educationland", Joseph Wainer, Ellsworth American
• When will Gendron be held accountable?, Paul Murphy, Bar Harbor Times

May 11

• Poor score comes with asterisk, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• State can't pay 55%, Skip Greenlaw, Bangor Daily News
• The wrong savings, Ellery Bouchard, Bangor Daily News
• Update on Suggested Model for Reorganizing School Units, Commissioner Susan Gendron, Department of Education
• Report from Union 92 meeting, Michael Martin Zboray, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Small Schools Coalition action plan
• Letters to the Legislators, Pete Johnson, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list

May 12

• Different lenses on the petition (and one of the things the Governor and I have in common), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list

May 14

• Progress on school proposal, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• Legislative Update: School Consolidation/Regionalization, MEA, The Activist, (5/11)

May 15

• Preparing school consolidation fight, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• Students create surveys to gauge school consolidation opinions, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• Comparison of 4/11 Appropriations Subcommittee Plan and Farrington "Blended Plan, Maine School Management Association, (5/15)
• Educational Consortium Gets $100,000 Grant for Area School Efficiencies, UMaine news release

May 16

• Create sustainable structure for Maine's children, Jim Carignan, Bangor Daily News
• Reply to James Carignan/BDN editorial, Gail Marshall, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Another reply to James Carignan, Paul Stearns
• Leaders chase elusive consolidation consensus, Victoria Wallack, State House News
• School consolidation plan placed on hold ... for now, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• State Needs Alternative School Re-Districting Plan, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News
• Regional School Update, Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News

May 17

• Consolidation Alternative Is Scrapped, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Changin' tires on the road to ruin, Al Diamon, Bar Harbor Times
• SADs 9, 58 boards discuss consolidation, Wesley Littlefield, Sun Journal
• School Boards Meet, Discuss Future, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• Letter from Paul Stearns to Bangor Daily News
• Union 93 meeting last night, Ralph Chapman, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list
• Editorial Cartoon, Joe Marshall, Mount Desert Islander

May 18

• Promote, don't cut, education, Joseph Wainer, Bangor Daily News
• School district juggernaut slows, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• 2 school boards meet with SAD 9, 58 educators, Valerie Tucker, Morning Sentinel
• A flunking grade, Editorial, Mount Desert Islander
• Save Our Schools petition signers
• Time running out, Editorial, waldo.villagesoup.com
• Critique of the 'Blended Plan', MDI Consolidation Study Group, (5/15)
• Consolidation Plan Report to Education Committee on Monday, Maine School Board Association

May 19

• Save Our Schools petition signers
• Budget talks resume, AP

May 20

• Financing public schools, Christopher W. Babbidge, Portsmouth Herald
• Save Our Schools petition signers
• 'Working Group' School Consolidation Plan Summary, Legislative 'Working Group', May 16
• 'Working Group' Proposal: Matrix of Major Issues to Be Resolved, Legislative 'Working Group', May 18

May 21

• Suggested Model for Reorganizing School Units, Department of Education, May 21
• List of suggested regional school units, DoE, May 21
• Maps Showing Suggested Regional School Units Model, DoE, May 21
• Report "A", Legislative 'Working Group', 5/21
• Report "B", Legislative 'Working Group', 5/21
• 'A' & 'B' Common Issues, Legislative 'Working Group', 5/21
• Critical issues that must be addressed, Rural Caucus, (5/10)
• Time Running Out For Lawmakers To Agree On School Consolidation Plan, Caroline Cornish, WCSH
• School Consolidaton Plan Modified But Still Moving Forward, MPBN [audio]
• Committee told to make up minds on school reform, Glenn Adams, Associated Press
• Two Camps (Education Committee's public forum and map unveiling), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools Email discussion list

May 22

• State adjusts school reforms, Jessica Alaimo, Sun Journal
• State maps school plan, Legislator offers alternate, Susan Cover, Kennebec Journal
• Superintendents try to plan for expected consolidation, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• Central Maine officials await additional details, Joel Elliott, Morning Sentinel
• State plan would merge SADs 5, 50, Stephen Betts, Courier-Gazette
• Lawmakers unveil new plan for merging school districts, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Sensible school plan shouldn't be weakened, Ron Bancroft, Press Herald
• Schools plan pares 290 units to 62, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Kittery, York schools may join, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• New school consolidation plan proposed, Victoria Wallack, Statehouse News

May 23

• School consolidation requires a mandate, Editorial, Press Herald
• A school efficiency plan the state can't afford, Paul A. Stearns, Bangor Daily News
• Rural caucus fighting for more local control, Jessica Alaimo, Sun Journal
• Revised schools squeeze released, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• Committee again faces school plans, Caitlin Hayes, York Weekly
• School plans still up in air, Herb Perry, Portsmouth Herald
• School Officials In Wiscasset Wary Of Consolidation Plan, Rhonda Erskine, WCSH
• Merger of SADs 5, 50 gains support, Stephen Betts, Courier-Gazette
• Thoughts on school consolidation, Rep. Bob Walker, Republican Journal

May 24

• School plan is mandated - by taxpayers, Editorial, Sun Journal
• State Advances New Consolidation Plan, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Legislators Must Oppose Consolidation, Casey Rush, Ellsworth American
• Education Service Districts Hold the Key, Stephen L. Bowen, Ellsworth American
• New school plan unveiled, Greg Fish, Bar Harbor Times
• New Ellsworth District Would Include 13 Towns, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• School boards clear air on consolidation, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• Let's start the school work, David Flanagan, Rich Silkman, Michael Moore, Bangor Daily News
• Redistricting Progress, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• Legislators save biggest decisions for end, Jim Brunelle, Kennebec Journal
• Panel synthesizing consolidation proposals, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Consolidation without borders, Ward Peck, South Portland Cape Elizabeth Sentry
• MDI towns, Trenton proposed for new district, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• Close budget talks extended, Francis X. Quinn, Associated Press
• Stop the hostile takeover of our schools, Edgar Allen Beem, Falmouth Forecaster

May 25

• Close budget talks extended, Associated Press, Sun Journal
• Resolution on major budget items evades lawmakers, Associated Press
• State budget writers hope to complete work tonight, Paul Carrier, Press Herald
• Budget talks wind down amiably, Associated Press
• School consolidation plans air, Valerie Tucker, Morning Sentinel
• Details of Latest School Regionalization Plan are Hard to Pin Down, Legislative Bulletin, MMA, 5/25
• DoE suggested timeline (5/22), MMA

May 26

• Save Our Schools petition signers
• Schools' fate set before reform effort, Todd Benoit, Bangor Daily News
• A Non-Solution for a Non-Problem, Ralph Chapman
• Summary of Key Points of Proposed Administrative Consolidation (5/26)

May 28

• Down the Home Stretch, Susan M. Cover, Kennebec Journal

May 29

• Consolidation would be good for education, Jean Gulliver, Press Herald
• State very late on producing graduation requirements, Ron Bancroft, Press Herald
• Maine Public School Performance Profiles, Center for Education Policy, USM
• School redistricting details emerge, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander.

May 30

• School consolidation plan goes to House and Senate, Herb Perry, Portsmouth Herald
• Save Our Schools petition signers
• Draft Plan for Statewide School Consolidation Released, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News
• Statutory Language: Appropriations School Consolidation Plan, (5/30)
• Lawmakers Finalizing School Consolidation Plan, Rhonda Erskine, WCSH
• Commentary --- Request for Adjustment to Proposed Regional School Units, Jay McIntire, Lincoln County News
• Maine's school consolidation: the wait continues, Jennifer L. Saunders, The Independent

May 31

• School administration growth needs addressing, Carol Rasmussen, Morning Sentinel
• Coalition, Baldacci push school overhaul plan, Mal Leary, Bangor Daily News
• Sick and frightened, Delia Gray, Bangor Daily News
• Table of contents for draft bill (Dick Atlee, 5/31) [*.pdf]
• A Non-Solution for a Non-Problem, Ralph Chapman
• Budget deal sewed up in committee, AP
• Consolidation language approved, Kennebec Journal
• Catch-22 Snarls Sedgwick School Board Budget, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• No Room for Another Approach, Editorial, Ellsworth American
• (...and from the horse's mouth): FWD from DoE, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools discussion list

June 1

• Devil is in school district details, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• Budget deal sewn up in committee, Sun Journal
• Spending plan gets panel OK, Mal Leary, Bangor Daily News
• Consolidation plan for Kittery and York schools clears another hurdle, Gretyl Macalaster, Foster's Democrat
• Appropriations Committee approves school reform plan, Victoria Wallack, Village Soup
• Maine's school plan clears hurdle, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• School proposal on move, Keith Edwards, Morning Sentinel
• School Consolidation Plan Goes to Full Legislature, MMA, Legislative Bulletin
• Why this bill devastates our schools, MDI Study Group

June 2

• Save Our Schools petition signers
• Like K-12, shouldn't Maine's universities be efficient?, Stephen Bowen, Bangor Daily News
• Merging Bargaining Units, DRAFT 6-1-07 Language, MDIschools.net
• Legislators back consolidation of school districts, Stephen Betts, Courier-Gazette

June 3

• Baldacci asks for citizen support, Associated Press
• Stand up for the children, James Carignan, Sun Journal
• Scrambled eggs (...allow state officials to concentrate on the classrooms ...with available resources”), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• Maine School Consolidation on 'Meet the Press' [transcript for June 3, 2007], [*.pdf]

June 4

• ...Remarkable achievement say business leaders, Press release, Mainetoday.com
• Read consolidation plan closely, Despres says, Donna Perry, Sun Journal
• Now is the time to act on school consolidation, Editorial, Portsmouth Herald
• Legislators Mull Over Budget Proposal, Matt Bush, WCSH
• Lobbyists Make Last Minute Pitches As Budget Debate Begins, Chris Facchini, WCSH
• Last-minute changes for school plan?, Caitlin Hayes, Portsmouth Herald
• Statutory Language: Appropriations School Consolidation Plan, (6/02)

June 5

• Lawmaker explains consolidation process, Karlene Hale, Capitol Weekly
• House delays schools debate, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• Final push begins as school plan nears vote, Ann S. Kim, Press Herald
• 37% don't want less school administration, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• School district plan puts local lawmakers at odds, Susan M. Cover, Kennebec Journal
• State budget vote in doubt, Paul Carrier, Kennebec Journal
• School angst in Kittery, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• Three choices for state education, Heather J. Perry, Bangor Daily News
• School plan goes behind closed doors, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• Budget prospects hinge on consolidation plan, Associated Press
• Last-minute talks extended on school system consolidation, Associated Press
• House leaders propose compromise on education reform, Victoria Wallack, Village Soup
• Compromise amendment surfaces in budget debate, Glenn Adams, Associated Press

June 6

• House Amendment 'Q' (*.pdf, 11Mb), (6/05)
• Some SAD school costs divided unfairly, Rep. Christopher W. Babbidge, Press Herald
• Local reps support state budget package, Jessica Alaimo, Sun Journal
• Compromise amendment passes as budget debate stretches overnight, Glenn Adams, Associated Press Writer
• Sen. Martin blasts spending to lobby school legislation, Mal Leary, Bangor Daily News
• House Approves State Budget, Sends To Senate, Elizabeth Reinholt, WCSH
• Maine House Approves Budget (from Morning Edition), MPBN (audio)
• York pushes to opt-out of school plan, Caitlin Hayes, York Weekly
• Consolidation fought every step of the way, Greg Fish, Bar Harbor Times
• School district plan amended, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander

June 7

• House, 114-27, OKs Compromise Plan, Vitcoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Lawmakers enact $6.3B budget, Francis X. Quinn, Sun Journal
• Budget, schools plan win approval, Paul Carrier and Ann Kim, Press Herald
• Flexibility added to school district plan, Susan M. Cover, Kennebec Journal
• Compromise a credit to Governor, legislators, Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• Nonsolutions for nonproblems, Ralph Chapman, Bangor Daily News
• Legislature Enacts Budget and School Plan, MPBN, Morning Edition (audio)
• Senate approves school reform plan, too, Victoria Wallack, villagesoup.com
• School consolidation passes Maine Senate, but questions remain, Steven Gintz, Foster's Democrat

June 8

• Baldacci signs 2-year budget, ( AP) Sun Journal
• Local districts have ownership of school plan, Editorial, Sun Journal
• Baldacci signs bipartisan budget measure, Glenn Adams, (AP) Press Herald
• Consolidating districts: Now the hard part, Ann S. Kim, Press Herald
• Reaction: 'A wonderful idea,' or just 'leave things alone', Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Augusta, SAD 11 can't find partners, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Some towns face school subsidy loss, Bangor Daily News
• Forward-Facing Budget, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• State Senate approves budget, school consolidation, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• Rough Riders ready to battle school budget, Jill Goldthwait, Mount Desert Islander
• School Consolidation Undergoes Further Amendments, Legislative Bulletin, MMA, 6/08)
• Next Steps in the Reorganization Process, Commissioner Gendron, DoE Informational Letter
• School regionalization looms as legislature approves plan, Marie Jones Holmes, Quoddy Tides

June 9

• Senator turns on the lobbyists, Susan M. Cover, Morning Sentinel
• New state budget won't satisfy everyone, Editorial, Sunday Telegram
• Consolidation rides on attitudes, Nancy Grape, Sunday Telegram
• School merger savings, penalties eyed, Jane Andrews, Republican Journal

June 11

• School meetings scheduled, Ann S. Kim, Press Herald
• Process and Summary of Reorganization, Department of Education, (6/11)
• Summary of Approved School Consolidation Legislation, MSMA (6/11)

June 13

• China School officials await consolidation details, Mary Grow, Kennebec Journal
• Editorial was wrong, wrong, wrong: Maine Municipal worked hard for consolidation, Christopher G. Lockwood, Kennebec Journal
• Consolidation's small steps precede a big leap, Editorial, Press Herald
• School districts face sweeping changes, Victoria Wallack, State House News
• York and Kittery to begin consolidation talks, Caitlin Hayes, York Weekly
• School Consolidation - District May Have 'Opt-Out Clause', David Hart, Kingfield Irregular
• Dow Warns State Plan to Produce Tax Hikes, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News

June 14

• Consolidation Impact on Education Is Immense, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Legislators Succumb to Pressure, Editorial, Ellsworth American
• Myth-based Policy-making, Ralph Chapman, Ellsworth American
• Editorial off base on school consolidation, Mark Gray, Morning Sentinel
• Regional education meetings planned, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• [Kennebunk/Arundel] Districts eye consolidation, Dana Pearson, Portsmouth Herald
• School consolidation plan amended in approved budget, Tom Minervino, Bar Harbor Timess
• Common cause, Brian Hubbell, et al, Bar Harbor Times
• Superintendent Liebow's powerpoint presentation to Union 98 staff, MDI HS, 6/14 (3Mb, *.ppt)
• Local school board prepares to consolidate . . . or not, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register
• School officials remain wary about consolidation, Peter Smith, Falmouth Forecaster
• Defusing the 'Consolidation Bomb', Edgar Allen Beem, Falmouth Forecaster

June 15

• Choice, or no choice?, Editorial, Waldo Independent
• Budget only the beginning for Legislature, Jill Goldthwait, Mount Desert Islander
• School redistricting fallout is discussed, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• School sites OK'd for Ashland, Brewer, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Local Maine school districts not required to consolidate, Mallory Schafer, Foster's Democrat
• Consolidation details tour hits the road, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• No district consolidation for Cape Eliz. or South Portland, Ward Peck, South Portland Sentry
• NIMBY isn't always wrong, Ward Peck, South Portland Sentry

June 16

• Next step: Explaining what's ahead, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal

June 17

• Consolidation process has left schools stranded, Donald J. Reiter, Sun Journal

June 18

• School consolidation, Editorial, Sun Journal
• Schools take hard look at costs, Ann S. Kim, Press Herald

June 19

• [Augusta] Education head grilled by officials, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Steuben: Town considering options as school consolidation looms, Eric Russell, Bangor Daily News

June 20

• Maine Moving Ahead on School Consolidation Plan, Lesli A. Maxwell, Education Week
• [Oakland] Details of plans remain elusive, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• Houlton: SAD 29 head updates board on regionalization, Jen Lynds, Bangor Daily News
• Minot sees costs soaring for school consolidation, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal

June 21

• Doubt cast on school savings, Tess Nacelewicz, Press Herald
• [Naples] State school district plan causes local doubts, David Harry, Citizen, keepmecurrent.com
• Kittery eyes SAD 35 for merger talks, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• School consolidation plan surveys are out, Portsmouth Herald
• Consolidation Clock Has Started for Towns, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• School District Restructuring: Threat to Community Pride, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• There is a choice, Editorial, Capital Weekly
• School consolidation process set to move forward, Thomas Hanson, Capital Weekly
• School Union 133 eyes regionalization, mainetoday.com
• [Portland] Gendron outlines consolidation plan, Marian McCue, Falmouth Forecaster

June 22

• Hard work, Jennifer Crandall, Mount Desert Islander
• York mulls Wells merger, Rachel M. Collins, Portsmouth Herald
• [Bangor] Loss of schools, choice key concerns, Dawn Gagnon, Bangor Daily News
• Council is updated about consolidation, Robert Levin, Mount Desert Islander
• Incredible effort, Editorial, Mount Desert Islander
• Common Cause, Brian Hubbell et al, Mount Desert Islander
• [Brunswick] More questions than answers at school roadshow, Beth Brogan, Times Record
• [Salem] MSAD 58 School Board Debates Consolidation, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

June 23

• School consolidation benefits are worth their costs, Editorial, Press Herald
• [Fort Kent] St. John Valley holds regionalization meeting, Beurmond Banville, Bangor Daily News
• The Black Fly Loop, Jim Baumer, Words Matter
• [Portland] School officials learn more about school district consolidation law, Ward Peck, South Portland Sentry

June 24

• Maine's top school official boosts reform, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Law has superintendents fuming, Alan Crowell, Morning Sentinel
• [Cape Elizabeth/South Portland] 'This isn't over': Towns still trying to figure what school consolidation means for them, Leslie Bridgers, The Current

June 25

• Union 98 convenes a regional planning committee (6/25)
• Kittery parents asked to complete E-survey on school consolidation issue, Steven Gintz, Foster's Dempocrat

June 27

• School unions begin search for reorganization partners, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• Ellsworth school official to step down, Eric Russell, Bangor Daily News
• The down side of high school choice, Glendon Rand, Bangor Daily News
• Survey: SAD 36 top choice for consolidation, Donna Perry, Sun JOurnal
• [South Paris/Oxford Hills] Reform details concern officials, Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• MSAD #58 Consolidation: Board Authorizes Clark to Look at Options, David Hart, Kingfie;ld Irregular

June 28

• [Eastport] Districts eye partners for consolidation, Edward French, Quoddy Tides
• MSAD 35 School Board appoints new committee members, Mallory Schafer, Foster's Democrat
• School Funding Bill Goes Back to Committee, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News
• Schools' Consolidation Plan Discussed in Bucksport, Nick Gosling, Ellsworth American
• School Superintendents Are on the Front Lines, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• Commissioner Hosts School Restructuring Roadshow, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• Union 92 Mulls Economic Realities of Consolidation, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• It's Like Trying to Sculpt Fog, Editorial, Ellsworth American
• Despite exemption, SAD 75 keeps close watch on consolidation, Times Record
• School board starts consolidation work, Tom Minervino, Bar Harbor Times
• [Rumford] Questions remain on school mergers, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• State disputes schools' findings on consolidation, Bryn Keating, Falmouth Forecaster
• [Brunswick] Details emerge on new school consolidation plan, Steve Mistler, Falmouth Forecaster

June 29

• School official's exit may signal trend, Eric Russell, Bangor Daily News
• [Dexter] Consolidation forum tackles fears, frustrations, Diana Bowley, Bangor Daily News
• Board jump-starts consolidation, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• [Ellsworth] Gendron Gets an Earful, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• [Gray, New Gloucester] Parents relieved that district might go solo, Elizabeth Raffaele , KeepMECurrent.com
• [Windsor] Shall we dance?, Steve Cartwright, Kennebec Journal
• [Waldo] School merger law raises questions, Jane Andrews, Waldo Independent
• [Woolwich] Coastal towns face subsidy losses from school plan, Seth Koenig, Times Record

June 30

• State's plan for schools arrogant, Loren Ritchie, Bangor Daily News
• SAD 56 board mulls consolidation options, Steve Fuller, Republican Journal

July 1

• Kittery schools could be in 'doughnut hole', Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• {Ellsworth]: Commissioner defends consolidation at forum, Tom Minervino, Bar Harbor Times
• [Ellsworth] School Consolidation a Perplexing Issue for Many Educators, Sara Nics, MPBN (audio)
• A Primer for School Reorganization, MMA, Maine Townsman, June

July 3

• Saco and OOB to discuss school consolidation plans, Kate Irish Collins, Sun Chronicle
• [Manchester, Mount Vernon, Readfield or Wayne] Consolidation committee members needed, Kennebec Journal
• [Woolwich] School, Town Officials Vent Their Angst, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Presque Isle residents wary of school consolidation, Rachel Rice, Bangor Daily News

July 4

• [Waldo] Locals lambaste school regionalization plan, Tanya Mitchell, Waldo Village Soup
• All for consolidation, Caitlin Hayes, York Weekly

July 5

• [Rockland] Education commissioner arrives July 10 for school powwow, Lynda Clancy, Knox COunty Times
• And so it begins..., Editorial, Mount Desert Islander
• Yarmouth considers consolidation options, Bryn Keating, Falmouth Forecaster
• [Wiscasset] Towns to huddle Tuesday on possible school district, Paula Gibbs, Wiscasset Newspaper
• "Roadmap" Offered To Districts, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• What did voters mean?, Paula Gibbs, Wiscasset Newspaper
• [Woolwich] Consolidation bill info session leaves questions, Alex Lear, Falmouth Forecaster
• Consolidation means more taxes and less service, Alan Wood, Republican Journal

July 6

• SAD 40 board looks for options to save jobs, Aaron Miller, Courier-Gazette
• ...Budget complaint filed, Francis X. Quinn, Associated Press
• Essential role, Dick Atlee, Mount Desert Islander

July 7

• Consolidation issues drew the attention of education groups, whose work irked some lawmakers, Susan Cover, Press Herald
• [Kittery] Consolidation work to begin, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald

July 9

• Crucial forum, Editorial, Courier-Gazette

July 10

• [Sanford] Maine explains its school merger law, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• Opponent of plan mulls legal action, Susan M. Cover, Morning Sentinel

July 11

• Small Schools Face Extinction as State Pushes Consolidation, Mike Colbert, Lincoln County News
• Bath/Union 47 Plan Emphasizes Excellence, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Harsh Realities of School District Consolidation, Editorial, Lincoln County News
• Wiscasset eyes westward merger, Beth Brogan, Times Record
• Garland, Hubbell, and Murphy appointed by Bar Harbor to Regional Planning Committee, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• School officials ask: Where's the savings?, Stephen Betts, Courier-Gazette
• Education Schools chief to explain changes, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• [Dixfield] Four school districts to discuss partnering, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Sanford] School consolidation from the state's perspective, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald

July 12

• Setting the Record Straight, Jim Rier, Ellsworth American
• Bucksport Considers Potential Consolidation Partners, Nick Gosling, Ellsworth American
• Consolidation Jitters Shake Up Office Staffs, Nick Gosling, Ellsworth American
• [Farmington] Derision greets state official, Wesley Littlefield, Sun Journal
• [Kennebunk/Wells] Districts continue consolidation talks, Jim Kanak, York County Coast Star
• [Farmington] Department of Education Holds Public Meeting, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• MSAD 58 School Board Discusses Consolidation, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• Cape explores school district consolidation, talks independence, Linda Maule, Falmouth Forecaster
• Wiscasset wrestles with budget cuts, consolidation, Paula Gibbs, Wiscasset Newspaper

July 13

• Lobbying money on schools was spent wisely, Deb Large, Kennebec Journal
• Punitive politics, Editorial, Mount Desert Islander
• Back to the classroom for legislators, Jill Goldthwait, Mount Desert Islander
• [Lewiston] School officials rap state over consolidation plan, Jessica Alaimo, Sun Journal
• [Skowhegan] Districts mull consolidation rules, efficiency, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• Kittery, York question savings of school district merger, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• Structure of sports sure to change, Ernie Clark, Bangor Daily News
• Jay, SAD 36 to study merger, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal

July 14

• [York] School plan stirs worries, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald

July 15

• Whoa there, Mr. Fredette, Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• Merger details mire Maine schools, Beth Quimby, Sunday Telegram
• Summer of planning for school administrators, AP

July 17

• School boards talk mergers, seek community participants, Lynda Clancy, Knox County Times
• Maine Consolidations Top Legislative Actions, Lesli A. Maxwell, Education Week
• MSAD 9 Weighs Consolidation Options, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

July 18

• Consolidation tab adds up, Victoria Wallack, State House News
• York, Wells examine merging school systems, Rachel M. Collins, Portsmouth Herald
• Kittery, York: We want your view on school mergers, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• Decisions in process for districts, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• Kittery looks into districts in which to consolidate, Steven Gintz, Foster's Democrat
• Dept. of Education tab put at $186,000, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• [Brunswick] Local school districts size up 'dance partners'Rachel Ganong, Times Record
• Wiscasset-Bath Choice for School Region Still Undecided, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Expensive, Complicated Way to Reduce the Costs of Administering School Systems, Lee Roberts, Lincoln County News
• [Farmington] School Consolidation: Meeting Puts Communities on Fast Track, David Hart, Kingfield Irregular
• School District Consolidation a Costly PR Campaign, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News
• Durham's dilemma: Whom to partner with?, Beth Brogan, Times Record
• Life imitates art, Judy Sproule, Bar Harbor Times

July 19

• [Vassalboro] School committee sorts consolidation options, Mary Grow, Morning Sentinel
• Surry Dives into Task of School Reorganization, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• Hoping for Downeast Common Sense, Ken Fredette, Ellsworth American
• [Boothbay region] School Consolidation Taskforce formed, begins meetings, Boothbay Register
• A Maine Muggle Discovers that Life Imitates Art, Judy Sproule, Ellsworth American

July 20

• Kittery schools merger a must?, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• [Cape Elizbeth] Consolidation continues to raise questions, Amanda Estes, South Portland Sentry

July 22

• Schools can get there from here, Sandy Gregor, Sun Journal

July 23

• Schools need to hear from you on consolidation, Editorial, Portsmouth Herald

July 24

• MARANACOOK: 4 towns on board to consolidate, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• School consolidation will not benefit Monmouth, Douglas Ludewig, Kennebec Journal
• Kittery boss: School board needs help, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• Town manager: Kittery School Committee moving too fast on consolidation, Steven Gintz, Foster's Democrat

July 25

• Dresden Opts to Stay with Hall-Dale Region, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• [SAD 9 not confident about state's financial data], Wesley Littlefield, Sun Journal
• Enman Named Interim Superintendent in Ellsworth, Nick Gosling, Ellsworth American
• School Partners Figuring Out Cost Sharing in Consolidation Plans, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News

July 26

• Richmond evaluating regionalization options, Michael Reagan, Times Record
• State education chief outlines consolidation plan start-up, Francis X. Quinn, Associated Press
• Pound foolish, Editorial, Waldo County Citizen
• Concerns Plentiful at Lamoine Consolidation Meeting, Nick Gosling, Ellsworth American
• School panel closes doors for meeting, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Progress cited in school district consolidations, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Augusta may be in Union 52 mix, Colin Hickey, Kennebec Journal
• SAD 9 mulls mergers, Don Waterhouse, Morning Sentinel
• Crunching numbers on districts' consolidation, Victoria wallack, Times Record
• Dealing With School Consolidation, Hendrik D. Gideonse, Ellsworth American
• Regional school group gets to work, Tom Minervino, Bar Harbor Times
• Education Commissioner Briefs Lawmakers On Consolidation Progress, Murray Carpenter, MPBN (audio link)

July 27

• SAD 35 could lose $1 million, David Ramsay, Portsmouth Herald
• Reform deadline has school officials cranking, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• State still hammering consolidation, Mechele Cooper, Kennebec Journal
• Union 132 sets consolidation talks, Mechele Cooper, Kennebec Journal
• Pittsfield: Superintendents meeting to talk consolidation, Sharon Kiley Mack, Bangor Daily News
• [Eastport] District partners for schools to be topic of upcoming forums, Eileen Curry, Quoddy Tides

July 28

• Schools must honor contracts, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• [Greenville weighs privatizing schools], Diana Bowley, Bangor Daily News

July 30

• Survey so far: Merge schools, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• School consolidation will go better without foot-dragging, Editorial, Press Herald
• School officials to hold merger talks, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• SAD 56 board mulls consolidation options, Steve Fuller, Republican Journal
• SAD 5/50 to begin consolidation steps, Stephen Betts, Courier-Gazette
• Maine To Join Education Reform Initiative, Jeanne Baron, MPBN (audio link)

July 31

• Clarifications on Reorganization Implementation, Commissioner Gendron, DoE informational letter

August 1

• Tough times for education board, Trevor Maxwell, Press Herald
• Consolidation part of SAD 11 agenda, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• School officials pay for legal seminar on consolidation, Victoria Wallack, Statehouse News
• SAD 74 directors to consider consolidation options tonight, Lary Grard, Morning Sentinel
• Kittery, SAD 35 talk school merger, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• MSAD 35, Kittery talk consolidation, but no decision reached yet, Mallory Schafer, Foster's Democrat
• Dresden Students Limited in Choices Until 2014, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• [Wiscasset] Area Panel Seeks Consolidation Input, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News

August 2

• [Hope] School reorganization news, Knox Village Soup
• [North Anson] Consolidation would cost more, superintendent says, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• [Wiscasset] Public meetings set on school consolidation, Charlotte Boynton, Wiscasset Paper
• [Boothbay] School consolidation task force considers financial data and expansion to west, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register
• [Falmouth] School boards plan to consolidate SAD 51, Falmouth, Linda Maule, Falmouth Forecaster

August 3

• [Readfield] Union #42, CSD 10 discussing options, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• York, SAD 35 may talk merger, Rachel M. Collins, Portsmouth Herald
• [Gardiner] SAD 11 not convinced school consolidation will work, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Consolidation session reveals details, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• SAD 43 board to discuss merger possibilities, Eileen Adams, Sun Journal
• Redefining 'essential', Editorial, Times Record

August 5

• School districts seek partners for consolidation, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Schools struggle to find partners for consolidation, Alan Crowell, Morning Sentinel

August 6

• Cost savings? Not through school consolidation, elected officials in Maine say, Mallory Schafer, Foster's Democrat
• Residents split on consolidation, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald

August 7

• MONMOUTH: Town lining up school partners, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• Some Augusta students may walk farther, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• [Woolwich] Lawyers compare education proposals, Seth Koenig, Times Record

August 8

• Damariscotta School Region Drops Wiscasset Prospect, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Whitefield Forum Grapples With School Consolidation Plan, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• Forum Gathers Input on Jefferson School Consolidation, Mike Colbert, Lincoln County News
• South Bristol Takes First Steps in Consolidation Process, Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News
• Orrington: Town opts to stick with state's school plan, Nok-Noi Hauger, Bangor Daily News
• Potential models for Mount Desert Island RSU, Superintendent Liebow's powerpoint [*.ppt]
• audio transcript of MDI RPC meeting, 8/08 [*.mp3]
• Surry: Town meeting updates residents on consolidation, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News

August 9

• AUGUSTA: School district down to single partner, or solo, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Surry Ponders Potential Partners In Consolidation, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• [Sullivan] Union 96 Considers Consolidation Panel Makeup, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• School costs face big shift in future, Tom Minervino, Bar Harbor Times
• Request for Funds for Miscellaneous Costs, Commissioner Gendron, DoE informational letter
• [Topsham] School merger talk on agenda
• [Buckfield] SAD 39 left hanging after school mergers?, Duke Harrington, Advertiser Democrat
• Send Augusta a Message, Editorial, Ellsworth American
• Consolidation task force leaves door open to Alna, Westport, but not Wiscasset, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register
• Yarmouth will talk about schools, keep options open, Amy Anderson, Falmouth Forecaster

August 10

• [Kittery] Towns to share school info for possible merger, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• [Jay] School leaders vote to file intent to team up, Donna Perry, Sun Journal
• Presque Isle: SAD 1 board opts for consolidation alternative, Rachel Rice, Bangor Daily News
• [Salem] MSAD 58 to Extend Offer to MSAD 9, Coplin Plt., Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

August 11

• [Fayette] Coming to the consolidation party, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• [Yarmouth] Districts vary in moving toward mergers, Tess Nacelewicz, Press Herald
• [Warren] SAD 40 still wants in on SADs 5, 50 merger, Stephen Betts, Courier-Gazette

August 12

• Lincolnville School Committee moves on regionalization, Knox Village Soup
• The upside of school consolidation, Editorial, Morning Sentinel
• Schools face accountability tsunami, Nancy Grape, Sunday Telegram
• [Winslow] School reorganization plan, mainetoday.com

August 13

• Monmouth selects Hall-Dale in consolidation, Kennebec Journal
• LITCHFIELD School reform options debated, Betty Adams, Kennebec Journal
• [Winslow] Three school districts may configure into one, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• Turner, Poland schools may merge with Auburn, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Carrabassett Valley School Committee Briefs Selectmen, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

August 14

• York, Kittery talk school budgets, Amy Phalon, Portsmouth Herald
• SAD 9 may give consolidation hint tonight, Don Waterhouse, Kennebec Journal
• Monmouth picks school partners, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• [Farmington] MSAD 9 Votes to Consolidate, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• But Who will Dance with the Rangeley Union Schools?, Bobbie Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

August 15

• [Farmington] SAD 9 directors to eye consolidation plans, Don Waterhouse, Morning Sentinel
• China seeking 5-municipality school district, Mary Grow, Kennebec Journal
• Winslow meets Thursday with decision likely, Amy Calder, Kennebec Journal
• York and Kittery meet, but make no plans, Amy Phalon, York Weekly
• Wiscasset Selects Bath as New School Region, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• [Searsport] SAD 56 selects SAD 34 as best fit for consolidation, Tanya Mitchell, Waldo Village Soup
• [Farmington] SAD 9 goes with SAD 58, Coplin Plt., Don Waterhouse, Kennebec Journal
• [Thorndike] SAD 3 seeks input, Craig Crosby, Kennebec Journal
• [Thorndike] SAD 3 resists consolidation, Megan Richardson, Republican Journal
• [Searsport] SAD 56 directors want to partner with SAD 34, Steve Fuller, Waldo Independent
• GSB School Board Submits Intent to Consolidate, Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News
• Whitefield School Invites Partners to 'Dance', Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• [Mexico] And Rangeley makes five, Bruce Farrin, Rumford Falls Times

August 16

• Schools in Bucksport Area Weigh Consolidation Options, Nick Gosling, Ellsworth American
• What's Happening to Democracy?, Nancy T. Sargent, Ellsworth American
• Emotions, not Facts, William Webster Jr., Ellsworth American
• State Seeking to Escape Blame in School Debacle, Carter A. Jones, Ellsworth American
• [Gardiner] SAD 11 board meets tonight to form consolidation panel, Kennebec Journal
• [Winthrop] Allies come into focus, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• Hypothetical model, Brian Hubbell, Bar Harbor Times
• Houlton: SAD 29 takes broad tack on reorganization, Jen Lynds, Bangor Daily News
• Augusta, SAD 11 continue talks on district merger, Karlene Hale, Capitol Weekly
• South Portland school district to stay independent, Ward Peck, South Portland Sentry
• Falmouth, SAD 51 leave door open for Yarmouth, Linda Maule, Falmouth Forecaster

August 17

• [Bar Harbor] District consolidation models are explored, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• Kittery: York has say on school consolidation, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• School consolidation agitation, Rachel Ganong, Times Record
• [Gardiner] Partner pickings slim for SAD 11, Keith Edwards, Kennebec JournalSchool boards want more financial data for consolidation, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• [Winslow] Winslow eyes 2 partner plans, Joel, Elliott, Morning Sentinel
• Kittery, York slog through merger talks, need more information, Steven Gintz, Foster's Democrat
• Trenton's bottom line, Editorial, Mount Desert Islander
• Local school districts make good choices on consolidation, Editorial, Waldo Independent

August 18

• AUGUSTA Alone at the dance?, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• [Skowhegan] SAD 54 weighs merger options, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel

August 20

• Katahdin schools regionalization study to be aired, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• Warren-Waldoboro schools suggest joining a Camden-Lincolnville district, Steve Rzasa, Courier-Gazette

August 21

• Waterville Schools Board votes to examine new partnerships, Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel
• School plan might exclude Wiscasset, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• Deadline Nears For Schools To Decide On Consolidation Plans, Rhonda Erskine, WCSH
• [Kittery] School merger talks set, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• Eddington: SAD 63 makes two consolidation plans, Nok-Noi Ricker, Bangor Daily News
• [Oxford] SAD 17 votes to pass on district mergers, Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• [Rumford] Numbers bedevil merger options, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• Rangeley's Union 37 Considers Options, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

August 22

• [Waterville] Tempers flare at meeting, Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel
• School consolidation taking shape, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Communities file Notices of Intent, Bangor Daily News
• Stonington man seeks repeal of school law, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• Hampden: High-performing SAD 22 exempt from new law, Toni-Lynn Robbins, Bangor Daily News
• [Bingham] SAD 13 hosts merger talks, Alan Crowell, Morning Sentinel
• Westport School Board Favors Bath-Union 47, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• [Waldoboro] Consolidation Options Sifted in SAD 40, Mike Colbert, Lincoln County News
• Coplin Plantation Votes to Consolidate, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

August 23

• It's official: MSAD 71 chooses Arundel as consolidation partner, Laura Dolce, York Weekly
• Wells/Ogunquit, York schools to talk, Jim Kanak, York Weekly
• [Oakland] Summits set for regional school district talks, Doug Harlow, Morning Sentinel
• Finding no partners, Augusta rejects consolidation, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Windsor sees 8-town district, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• Winthrop: Maranacook, Fayette, Mechele Cooper, Kennebec Journal
• [Winslow] Chairman: choose one school plan, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• [Fairfield] SAD 49 plans to stand alone, Doug Harlow, Morning Sentinel
• [South Berwick] SAD 35 mulls tuition deal with out-of-district students, David Ramsay, Portsmouth Herald
• [Casco] 'We will go it alone', David Harry, KeepMeCurrent.com
• Bucksport Area School Districts Looking North for Partners, Nick Gosling, Ellsworth American
• [Stonington] Greenlaw Launches Campaign to Repeal Consolidation Law, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• [Sedgwick] Unions 76, 93 Begin Reorganizing Effort, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• [Sullivan] Union 96 Committees Meet on Consolidation, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• Greenville: Town files 3 letters of intent for regionalization, Diana Bowley, Bangor Daily News
• Saco, Dayton, Arundel and OOB discuss joint school district, Kate Irish Collins, Sun Chronicle
• State Board Wants To Penalize Non-Consolidating Districts, AP, WMTW
• Former Sanford superintendent named Portland consolidation facilitator, Portland Press Herald
• [Dixfield] SAD 21 to advise state on partners, Eileen Adams, Sun Journal
• Auburn schools to stand alone, Lindsay Tice, Sun Journal
• Freeport leans toward consolidation with Pownal, Durham, Amy Anderson, Falmouth Forecaster
• [Falmouth] 2 school boards OK consolidation framework, Amy Anderson, Falmouth Forecaster
• [Topsham] School officials estimate Lisbon's impact on SAD 75, Alex Lear, Falmouth Forecaster
• Costs challenge Wiscasset's role in Bath school merger, Alex Lear, Falmouth Forecaster

August 24

• Letter to school committee chairs, Skip Greenlaw, 8/22
• Crunch time for school districts, Jessica Alaimo, Sun Journal
• [Buckfield] SAD 39 board finds merger savings elusive, Tom Standard, Sun Journal
• Fayette may file 2 intent notices, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• [Fairfield] SAD 49 casts votes for status quo, Doug Harlow, Morning Sentinel
• [Newport] SAD 48 will file intent to join Etna, Dixmont, Craig Crosby, Morning Sentinel
• Rural districts ponder school merger plan, Alan Crowell, Morning Sentinel
• Kittery, York won't join yet, Lara Bricker, Portsmouth Herald
• [Bath] School merger breathes new life, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• Report: Past Consolidation Efforts Resulted in Higher School Costs, Maine Heritage Policy Center, Magic City Morning Star
• The Sinclair Act at 50, Stephen L. Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center
• [Topsham] Selectmen brought into school merger planning, Darcie Moore, Times RecordMoney talks, equity walks, Editorial, Waldo Independent

August 25

• Maranacook's intent is official, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• [Skowhegan] District mulls staying put, Alan Crowell, Morning Sentinel
• Official: Solo plan won't fly, Susan Cover, Kennebec Journal
• RSU misconceptions, Susan Gendron, Bangor Daily News

August 27

• Van Buren: SAD 24 weighs RSU 1 proposal as letter of intent deadline nears, Jen Lynds, Bangor Daily News
• The dancing is done; time to clean up, Editorial, Sun Journal

August 28

• Winslow Town Council wants more study of school consolidation options, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• Administrators fear distraction as year starts, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• [Rumford] SAD 43 to tell state of partnership plan, Eileen Adams, Sun Journal
• Dexter: SAD 46 set to discuss regionalization, Diana Bowley, Bangor Daily News
• Orono-area towns plan school consolidation talks, Bangor Daily News
• Consolidation Options Appear Limited for Bucksport and Neighboring Towns, Nick Gosling, Ellsworth American
• [Hampden] School Consolidation Plans Due By Friday, Heather Seavey, WCSH
• [Thorndike] SAD 3 says no to consolidation, Megan Richardson, Waldo Independent
• Bath, Union 47 and Wiscasset reunite on consolidation, Seth Koenig, Times Record

August 29

• [Thorndike] SAD 3 to seek exemption from school consolidation, Andy Kekacs, Waldo villagesoup.com
• Fayette's choice likely will be made at forum tonight, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• [Gardniner] SAD 11 will go right down to the deadline, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Portland schools to get help cutting costs, Kelley Bouchard, Press Herald
• Mergers: Some districts scramble, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Augusta plan rejection has leaders miffed, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Consolidation deadline looms; York undecided, Rachel M. Collins, Portsmouth Herald
• Citizens for Budgetary Responsibility Discuss Consolidation, Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News
• [Rockport] Five towns begin school consolidation talks, choose planning representatives, Lynda Clancy, Knox County Times
• Alna School Board Votes to Join Bath Schools, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• The reality of consolidation, Editorial, Courier-Gazette
• [Searsport] SAD 56 picks reps for consolidation process
• In Education, Bigger Is Not Always Better, Stephen Bowen, Ellsworth American
• Wiscasset Schools Home Free After Region Rift, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Jefferson Files Consolidation Letters With State, Mike Colbert, Lincoln County News

August 30

• [Thorndike] SAD 3 hopes to stay independent, Craig Crosby, Kennebec Journal
• Merger activity quickens, Betty Adams and Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• Augusta gets state data, but little else, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• [Pittsfield] SAD 53 weighs three options, Craig Crosby, MOrning Sentinel
• [Winslow] Citing consolidation, School Union 52 chief departing, Colin Hickey, Kennebec Journal
• Ellsworth, School Union 92 Planning Committees Form, Ellsworth American
• [Ellsworth] Consolidation Panel Crunching Budget Numbers, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• Brunswick wants interim school chief, Rachel Ganong, Times Record
• East Machias to battle state on school plan, Diana Graettinger, Bangor Daily News
• Augusta schools want to stay independent, Karlene Hale, Capitol Weekly
• [Minot] Union 29 intends unit conversion, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal
• [Wales] Union 44 OKs intent to form regional school unit, Heather McCarthy, Sun Journal
• Department of Education press release, David Connerty-Marin, DoE
• Commissioner expects strong compliance with Maine school merger mandate, Glenn Adams, Associated Press, Foster's Democrat
• [Bridgton] School districts reject reorganization, David Harry, The Citizen
• [Bar Harbor] Officials running consolidation numbers, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• [Freeport] Schools work to meet state consolidation deadline, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• Yarmouth considers consolidation options, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Freeport] Board hears consolidation group recommendation, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Falmouth] Consolidation on their minds, Forecaster
• [Portland] School district to submit alternative plan, Peter Smith, Forecaster
• [Cape Elizabeth] School districts to stand alone, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• Brunswick to offer 2 consolidation options, Steve Mistler, Forecaster
• [Topsham] SAD 75 to submit 2 plans to state DOE, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• Bath to pursue 2 merger plans, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• Cape Eliz. to go it alone, Ward Peck, South Portland Sentry
• Time to rethink consolidation, Editorial, Seacoastonline.com
• Ed Commissioner Predicts Good Compliance On Eve Of School Consolidation Deadline, Murray Carpenter, MPBN (audio link)

August 31

• Today, we begin building a future, Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• York schools hold key, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• Waterville, Winslow, SAD 47 Schools looking to unite, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• Vt. officials eye Maine ed plan, Howard Weiss-Tisman, Brattleboro Reformer
• School consolidation deadline today, Mallory Schafer, Foster's Democrat
• 134 school districts need to file for today's deadline, Susan Cover, Kennebec Journal[Jefferson] At School Union 132, what's past is prologue, Mechele Cooper, Kennebec Journal
• [Gardiner] SAD 11 to stand alone, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• [Vassalboro] Mitchell to lead town's consolidation panel, Mary Grow, Kennebec Journal
• [Skowhegan] School Administrative District 54 opts to remain independent, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• SAD 39 looking at merger partners, Mary Standard, Sun Journal
• Camden area school systems prepare for merger - Former legislator proposes ducking law by making schools private, Camden Herald
• School Consolidation Deadline passes with much to do, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• New relationships form across school districts, Darcie Moore, Times Record
• Maine Schools Face First Consolidation Deadline, Murray Carpenter, MPBN (audio)
• Sen. Mitchell, Gendron to Discuss Next Steps in Reorganization, DoE press release
• Bucksport, Nearby Communities Become "Doughnut Hole" District, Nick Gosling, Ellsworth American

September 1

• 267 school districts pass in assigned consolidation plans, Paul Carrier, Press Herald
• Letters of intent (logged as of Friday morning), DoE (*.xls)
• School systems file plans to merge, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Best way to keep local school may be to close it, Stephen Bowen, Bangor Daily News
• Debate goes on over school system reorganization, Francis X. Quinn, Associated Press
• Getting Involved!, George Crawford, Learning in Maine

September 2

• Portland's school problems may spread around state, Stephen Bowen, Sunday Telegram
• Towns on track to school consolidation, Chris Outcalt, Portsmouth Herald
• WGAN radio series: Getting Regional In Maine
• Diana Tracy looks at what it means to consolidate school districts and what districts will be forced to combine., 8/27 (*.mp3)
• Dan Cole reports on some districts having trouble consolidating and some finding it more expensive than staying independent., 8/28 (*.mp3)
• Mike Audet checks out how superintendents and administrators are dealing with the changes., 8/29 (*.mp3)
• Brian Pelletier looks at a couple of school districts with different plans in mind., 8/30 (*.mp3)
• School enrollment increasing, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times

September 3

• Schools submit merger intent, Associated Press, Portsmouth Herald

September 4

• Notices of Intent filed as of Tuesday, September 4, Department of Education
• State Board of Education members nominated, Press Herald
• All districts file required paperwork by deadline, Victoria Wallack, Statehouse News
• [Dixfield] Money an obstacle for SAD 21 partner, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal

September 5

• Winslow Consolidation issues leave school panel in the dark, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• York looks to consolidate with Kittery or Wells-Ogunquit, Lynn Szymanski, York Weekly
• Effort opposing consolidation moves forward, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• State's School Choice Commitment to Cost Towns, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Freeport debates school merger, Beth Brogan, Times Record
• Lincoln: SAD 67 intends to proceed with Region 17 plan, Nick Sambides, Bangor Daily News
• [Rumford] SAD 43 plays waiting game, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal

September 6

• Gendron tells of next steps, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• Vassalboro, China join schools study panel Move could lead to huge regional school unit, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• State has 2 weeks to study school consolidation plans, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• [Ellsworth] Cost, Savings Disparity Concern Local Panels, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• Gendron "Thrilled" At Districts' Compliance, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Bucksport and Partners Name RPC Members, Nick Gosling, Ellsworth American
• School consolidation barriers aired, Jim Kanak, York County Coast Star
• York schools pick Wells-Ogunquit over Kittery, Rachel M. Collins, Portsmouth Herald
• Just in: York picks Wells-Ogunquit as possible school partner, Lynn Szymanski, York Weekly
• Freeport debates school merger, Beth Brogan, Times Record
• Consolidation battle ahead?, Greg Fish, Bar Harbor Times
• Kittery schools consolidation pinch, Foster's Democrat
• School partners, Elizabeth Mitchell, Capitol Weekly

September 7

• Kittery school district is left in the lurch, Rachel M. Collins, Portsmouth Herald
• Officials doubt redistricting legality, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• Kittery could be left out in cold on Maine's school consolidation efforts, Mallory Schafer, Foster's Democrat
• [Hope] School reorganization group holds initial meeting, Kim Lincoln, Camden Herald

September 8

• School Consolidation Law Meets More Opposition, Jackie Couture, WCSH
• Doughnut hole disgust, Editorial, Waldo Independent

September 9

• Municipal Perspective on School Reorganization, Douglas Rooks, Maine Townsman
• [Chebeague] Islanders enjoy exempt status, Tess Nacelewicz, Sunday Telegram
• School district plan should stay on track Editorial, Sunday Telegram

September 10

• Group advances bid to repeal schools law, Aimee Dolloff, Bangor Daily News
• Maine Districts Take Key Step to Consolidation, Katie Ash, Education Week

September 11

• [Madison] SAD 59 committee eyes merger with Pittsfield district, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• Jay, SAD 36 consolidation plans advance, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• Extra $900K if York schools fulfill merger?, Rachel M. Collins, Seacoastonline.com
• [Wiscasset/Bath] Merger plans scrapped again -- for now, Bob Kalish, Times Record

September 12

• State to make its decisions by end of day on Friday, Keith Edwards, Morning Sentinel
• [Madison] School districts mull partnerships, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• York School District picks Wells-Ogunquit as possible partner, Lynn Szymanski, York Weekly
• [Rockland] Communities roll up sleeves to merge school boards, Lynda Clancy, Knox County Times
• [Farmington] MSAD 9 Consolidation News, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• [Dixfield] District mergers focus of meeting, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Searsport] SAD 56 considers joining anti-consolidation effort, Steve Fuller, Republican Journal
• Small schools targeted, Sharon J. Cale, Bangor Daily News
• Legislators Need to Re-Examine Vote, David Kolodin, Lincoln County News
• Bath Vote Stymies Wiscasset Consolidation Effort, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Jefferson Casts Fate With Coast in School Consolidation, Mike Colbert, Lincoln County News
• Baldacci Moves... Like a Lead Balloon, Daniel Schrock, Lincoln County News
• Clarifying Secondary Tuition Policy, Editorial, Lincoln County News
• Commissioner Corrects Tuition Information, Susan Gendron, Lincoln County News
• Committee Committed to Wiscasset Affiliation, Alna School Committee, Lincoln COunty News
• Devious Shift and Shaft Proposal, Pat Hudson, Lincoln County News
• School merger deadline softened, Michael Reagan, Times Record
• Choosing a Dance: Ballroom or Honky Tonk?, Lee Roberts, Lincoln County News

September 13

• China officials seek 3rd member of school choice panel, Mary Grow, Morning Sentinel
• Arundel to decide on school partner by Oct. 10, Laura Dolce, Seacoastonline.com
• School Consolidation Update Expected Thursday, WMTW
• [Dixfield] SAD 21 leery of state response, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• Some school districts fail on merger plans, Press Herald
• Several Central Maine schools' plans rejected, Kennebec Journal
• Baldacci, Gendron Update School Consolidation Plan, Ken Christian, WCSH
• [Rockland] State asks SADs 5 and 50 to talk with SAD 40 on consolidation, Stephen Betts, Courier-Gazette
• Group starts petition drive to repeal consolidation, Karlene Hale, Capitol Weekly
• State Approves School Merger Plans, Barbara Cariddi, MPBN (audio)
• [Freeport] Parents take school consolidation stand, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• School merger bill goes to vote without Wiscasset, Alex Lear. Forecaster
• [Salem] MSAD 58 Consolidation News, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• Acton merger plan doesn't make the grade, Andrea Rose, Weekly Observer
• Wiscasset, Alna, Westport Island tossed out -- AGAIN!, Paula Gibbs, Wiscasset Newspaper
• School consolidation failures, mainetoday.com

September 14

• Most school merger plans on track, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• State OKs most school merger plans, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• State rejects several school plans; Commissioner cites flaws in consolidation proposals; local officials voice frustration, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• School chiefs at odds over merger intent, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• State rejects school plans; SAD 12 leader cites misguided legislation, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• School Merger Plans Submitted About 80 Percent, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News
• Most districts' proposed plans in compliance, Victoria Wallack, Waldo Village Soup
• [Westbrook] Local districts among those in compliance, Gordon Lane, American Journal
• [Rockland] SADs 5 and 50 still show no interest in SAD 40 merger, Stephen Betts, Courier-Gazette
• [Wiscasset] State responds to school merger filings, Times Record
• Machias weighs school options, Chessie Johnson, Quoddy Tides
• Survey Results on School Reorganization Process, Geoff Herman, Maine Municipal Association
• Municipal Survey Comments Regarding School Reorganization Process, MMA

September 15

• [Superintendent] Contracts a risk for school boards, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Maine shows a path to consolidate schools, Des Moines Register
• Kittery schools won't be left out of merger dealing, state says, Deborah McDermott, seacoastonline.com
• [Poland] State reacts to Union 29 merger options, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• [Bar Harbor] Reorganization committee looking at all angles, Greg Fish, Bar Harbor Times

September 16

• School districts with failed plans look to state, Beth Quimby, Sunday Telegram

September 17

• School districts deliver on merger mandate, Editorial, Press Herald
• Unlikely merger, Editorial, Courier-Gazette

September 18

• [Augusta] Board takes up school plan rejection, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Ready for this, Camden-Rockport taxpayers?, Lynda Clancy, Knox County Times
• [Rockland] SAD 40 tries to convince SADs 5, 50 of consolidation merits, Emily Sapienza, Knox County Times
• Council supports merger between Bath and Union 47, Seth Koenig, Times Record

September 19

• No raves in China, Mary Grow, Kennebec Journal
• AUGUSTA: Frustrated school board willing to deal with state, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Brunswick chooses interim school boss, Times Record
• Gendron Turns Down Wiscasset school Plan, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• State Rejects Consolidation Proposal for Jefferson, Somerville, Mike Colbert, Lincoln County News
• Whitefield Board Weighs School Partner Options, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• [Edgecomb] Bouchard Unveils Budget Format, Consolidation News, Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News
• Whitefield and Other School Union Towns Bristle at Rejection, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• Local Advocates Mount Campaign Against School Consolidation, Mike Colbert, Lincoln County News
• Freeport hears need for more school merger input, Rachel Ganong, Times Record
• [Salem] District gets nod on consolidation plan, David Hart, Irregular

September 20

• Chelsea looks to state for consolidation help, Mechele Cooper, Kennebec Journal
• Pittsfield: SAD 53 gets verdicts on consolidation plans, Sharon Kiley Mack, Bangor Daily News
• [Sullivan] Consolidation Discussion Defining Education's "Essentials", Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• Union 93, 76, Surry, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• [Bar Harbor] School board unofficially favors repeal of consolidation law, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• Rockland: Talks set for Many Flags model, George Chappell, Bangor Daily News
• [Mechanic Falls] School Union 29 still courting partners, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal
• Pittsfield: SAD 53 gets verdicts on consolidation plans, Sharon Kiley Mack, Bangor Daily News
• Orono: Panel selection frustrates some residents, Aimee Dolloff, Bangor Daily News
• Closer look at consolidation, Editorial, Capitol Weekly
• Freeport, Yarmouth to meet on consolidation, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Durham chooses Freeport, barely, Michael Reagan, Times Record
• Yarmouth officials remain skeptical about school consolidation, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Durham voters reject Brunswick for school consolidation, Steve Mistler, Forecaster
• [Topsham] State to verify SAD 75's 'highly efficient' status, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• School districts may recover lost state subsidy funds, Alex Lear, Forecaster

September 21

• [Naples] SAD 61 asks state to make its case, David Harry, keepmecurrent.com
• [Mount Desert] Vote slated on school funding issue, Greg Fish, Bar Harbor Times
• [Gardiner] SAD 11 board members question state's ruling, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• [Lincoln, etc.] It's Region 17 or nothing, school officials say, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• Kittery can't find school partner -- yet, Mallory Schafer, Foster's Democrat
• [Mount Desert] Vote slated on school funding issue, Greg Fish, Bar Harbor Times
• Durham poll favors merger with Freeport, Pownal, Connie Footman, Sun Journal
• Another assault on Maine's small towns, Larry Mann, Times Record

September 22

• [Waldo County] Local school systems get OK for consolidation plans, Steve Fuller, Waldo Independent
• York schools wary of forced Kittery merger, Rachel M. Collins, Portsmouth Herald

September 23

• Critics target school mergers, Paul Carrier, Sunday Telegram
• Baldacci targeting status quo, Paul Carrier, Sunday Telegram

September 24

• Pittsfield: SAD 53 drops consolidation talks with 38, 48, Sharon Kiley Mack, Bangor Daily News
• Raymond's abuzz with school choice, consolidation, Elizabeth Raffaele, Monument, keepmecurrent.com

September 25

• [Farmington] SAD 9 directors to get report on consolidation, Don Waterhouse, Morning Sentinel
• Summary of DOE Responses to Notices of Intent, DoE (9/25)
• [Dixfield] Superintendent: Bill important for SAD 21, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• RSUs create penalties, Carle G. Gray, Bangor Daily News

September 26

• Vassalboro, China added to Waterville plan, Amy Calder, Kennebec Journal
• State tells schools to finish RSU plans, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• [York] School Committee ponders state directive, Lynn Szymanski, York Weekly
• More school consolidation stories in the offing, Andrew Russell, City Editor, Press Herald
• Drummond Woodsum's Reorganization Plan template, 09/26/2007 (*.doc)
• Dissent Sidestepped as Consolidation Chugs Forward, Mike Colbert, Lincoln County News
• Balancing the State Budget With Property Taxes, Rep. Jon McKane and David Trahan, Lincoln County News

September 27

• 'Barriers' discourage some school mergers, Paul Carrier, Press Herald
• Anti-consolidation Rally Postponed, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• Materials from DoE's Educational Summit on 21st Century Learning, China Lake, (9/27)
• [Minot] Union 29 dislikes state dictates on partnering, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal
• SAD 9 adds Highland Plantation to merger plan, Wesley Littlefield, Sun Journal
• [Madison] SADs 53, 59 make progress on consolidation, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• School Consolidation Downfall, Lawrence P. Greenlaw Jr., Ellsworth American
• [Windham] Schools pick 2009 for consolidation deadline, Michael Hartwell, Lakes Region Suburban Weekly
• Yarmouth, Freeport talks at arm's length, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Falmouth, SAD 51 eye merger, with or without Yarmouth, Peter Smith, Forecaster
• Cape still faces school reorganization hurdles, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• [Boothbay] Regional consolidation group begins the "real work", Sue Mello, Boothbay Register
• School Committee: Keep Yarmouth option open, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Bath, Union 47 hope to adjust cost-sharing, Alex Lear, Forecaster

September 28

• Consolidation ups price for some school districts, AP, Sun Journal
• Madison: Two distant districts work toward merger, Sharon Kiley Mack, Bangor Daily News
• Lisbon, SAD 75 work on merger plans, Sun Journal
• Millinocket: Recreational property at risk of confiscation, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• Local Control Proponents Gathering Critical Mass Despite Red Tape, Mike Colbert, Lincoln County News
• [Bath/Union 47/Wiscassett] LD 910: A law tailored for local needs, William Shuttleworth, Times Record

September 29

• Glenburn: Decision to deny consolidation plans appealed, Aimee Dolloff, Bangor Daily News
• Act fast to fix school consolidation flaws, Editorial, Kennebec Journal

September 30

• Researchers, bureaucrats, politicians left mark on law, Paul Carrier, Sunday Telegram
• Frustration on agenda in school merger discussions begin, Beth Quimby, Sunday Telegram
• Let school district merger law alone, Nancy Grape, Sunday Telegram
• [Rumford] SAD 43 plans for consolidation, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal

October 1

• Durham School Committee approves Freeport, Pownal regionalization talks, Michael Reagan, Times Record
• [New Gloucester] SAD 15 chief questions costs of merger with Union 29, Ellie Fellers, Sun Journal

October 2

• New system for testing high-schoolers unvelied, Ron Bancroft, Press Herald
• [Winslow] School partners added, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• [Rumford] Crunch time in merger process, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal

October 3

• School proposal in York reveals 'cost-shift' snag, Paul Carrier, Press Herald
• If budget doesn't pass, then what?, Kelly Bouchard, Press Herald
• China sticks to school resizing plan, Mary Grow, Morning Sentinel
• [Belfast] RPC weighs timeline, division of work, Tanya Mitchell, Waldo Country Citizen
• [Kittery] School merger talks will heat up again soon, Dave Choate, Portsmouth Herald
• McIntire: Wiscasset schools 'in limbo', Bob Kalish, Times Record
• Nightmarish Prognosis for School Consolidation Delivered by Bristol School Committee, Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News
• Education Chief to Answer Questions in Whitefield, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• [Mount Desert] Board signs resolution opposing consolidation, Greg Fish, Bar Harbor Times
• [Bar Harbor] Island students score high on MEAs, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times

October 4

• Baldacci stands by his plans, Susan M. Cover, Press Herald
• Bucksport Area Towns Clarify School Consolidation Options, Nick Gosling, Ellsworth American
• Lamoine Wrestles With Consolidation, Oka Hutchins, Ellsworth American
• Put the Focus Back on Education, Robert C. Dick, Ellsworth American
• Show-and-tell session takes SADs to Augusta, David Harry, Lakes Region Weekly
• Rockport area high school board backs effort to repeal consolidation law, Kim Lincoln, Camden Herald
• [Searsport] Consolidation group debates representation on new board, Steve Fuller, Republican Journal
• York and Wells-Ogunquit continue school talks, Lynn Szymanski, York Weekly
• Five Town CSD signs resolution to repeal consolidation law, Lynda Clancy, Knox County Times
• South Berwick referendum sought to repeal school consolidation, citing financial burden, Jason Claffey, Foster's Democrat
• Durham, Pownal, Freeport alliance starts merger process, Michael Reagan, Times Record
• Yarmouth-Falmouth-SAD 51 talks 'did not go well', Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Kittery, state slogging through consolidation talks, Juli Rothstein, Foster's Democrat
• Questions and Answers from October 4th MMA Convention, Maine Municipal Association

October 5

• [Mount Desert] Board backs consolidation repeal, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• Gendron touts change to ease cost-sharing barriers, Keith Edwards, Morning Sentinel
• Gendron tackles cost-sharing issue, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Gendron: Some schools are hit too hard, Keith Edwards, Press Herald

October 7

• No easy answers for Bath, School Union 47, Beth Quimby, Sunday Telegram

October 8

• Districts grapple with provision in law on budgets, Beth Quimby, Kennebec Journal
• [Searsport] RPC subcommittees start consolidation planning process, Tanya Mitchell, Waldo County Citizen
• [Hope] Local governments to be lobbied to oppose school district consolidation, Kim Lincoln, Camden Herald

October 9

• Gendron holds merger power, but is it too much?, Paul Carrier, Press Herald
• Who is the deceiver in school consolidation?, Bob Burton, Morning Sentinel
• [Eliot] SAD 35 fights school mergers, Dave Choate, Portsmouth Herald
• Holden: SAD 63's fourth letter of intent is approved, Nok-Noi Ricker, Bangor Daily News

October 10

• Gendron backs changes in merger cost-sharing rules, Victoria Wallack, State House News Service
• Schools' merger power in the proper place, Editorial, Press Herald
• [Searsport] Consolidation group debates representation on new board, Steve Fuller, Waldo Independent
• [York] School consolidation could be delayed, Lynn Szymanski, York County Coast Star
• State to talk consolidation with rejected schools, Kennebec Journal
• Wiscasset, Alna, Westport Scramble for Consolidation Help, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Gendron Grilled at Whitefield School, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• Balancing the state budget with property taxes, Rep. Jon McKane and David Trahan, Courier-Gazette

October 11

• State Backs Leeway on Cost-sharing Among Towns, Victoria Wallack, Ellworth American
• Law Lacks Provision For Leaving Your District, Oka Hutchins, Ellsworth American
• Winthrop Schools chief on Mass. short list, Betty Adams, Kennebec Journal
• State takes new public health path, Josie Huang, Morning Sentinel
• School consolidation moving slowly; some units lost in red tape, Aimee Dolloff and Nok-Noi Ricker, Bangor Daily News
• School system consolidation targeted in dozens of bill requests, Francis X. Quinn, Associated Press
• Citizen asks Camden-Rockport to reconsider school expansion, Lynda Clancy, Knox County Times
• School board to discuss if it will still build addition to Rockport school in view of new consolidation program costs, Kim Lincoln, Camden Herald
• Many Mainers are embracing consolidation repeal, Karlene Hale, Capitol Weekly
• [West Bath] An emphasis on school choice at merger hearing, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• [Wells] School consolidation concerns aired, Jim Kanak, seacoastonline.com
• [Strong] Committee Recommends 25 Director School Board, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• Freeport measures options for school consolidation, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Bath-Union 47 plan comes under scrutiny, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• Schools differ on interpretation of consolidation costs, Peter Smith, Forecaster
• Governor Baldacci Outlines Consolidation Plans to Judges, Press Release, Governor's Office
• Governor or Emperor?, Carle G. Gray, Ellsworth American

October 12

• Brewer begins new school budget process, Nok-Noi Ricker, Bangor Daily News
• Baldacci: It's not about being comfortable, Morning Sentinel
• 81 Education-related Legislative Requests for next session (as of 10/12/2007)
• [Harpswell] State changes SAD 75's status, Darcie Moore, Times Record
• [Rumford] SAD 43 to choose new committee, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal

October 13

• Is school law OK? Bills seek changes, Paul Carrier, Press Herald

October 14

• School districts struggle to reduce transportation bill, Beth Quimby, Sunday Telegram
• Gendron wields her power well, Nancy Grape, Sunday Telegram

October 15

• [Oxford] Talks set between SADs 19 and 39, Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• [Jay] School budgets get new rules, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• Current consolidation recalls Sinclair Act of 1957, Craig Crosby, Morning Sentinel
• Maintain school course, Editorial, Bangor Daily News

October 16

• [Belfast] RPC members question process, discuss petition to repeal law, Tanya Mitchell, Waldo County Citizen
• Questions and Answers from October 4th MMA Convention, Maine Municipal Association
• McIntire: Wiscasset remains 'in limbo' on consolidation partners, Bob Kalish, Times Record

October 17

• Gendron talks school consolidation with business community in Bangor, Anne Ravana, Bangor Daily News
• [Paris] SAD 17 says no merger talks without financial resolutions, Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• School merger drives record-setting bill filing, Victoria Wallack, State House News Service
• Effort launched to repeal consolidation law, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News
• Unresolved labor issues stymie merger efforts, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News
• Wiscasset Schools Add to Dance Card, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Deeper Discussions Urged for Whitefield, Other Schools in Regionalization, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• Whitefield Back on Track Toward School Regionalization, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• [Nobleboro] NCS Board Expresses Consolidation Concerns, Sherwood Olin, Lincoln County News
• [Boothbay] Rep. MacDonald Submits Bills to Change School Funding and Consolidation Laws, Lincoln County News
• Changes, but no merger, for Cape schools, Leslie Bridgers, The Current
• Beyond repair, Editorial, Times Record
• Commissioner Gendron's 10/17 interim report to the Appropriations Committee, MMA (audio file)

October 18

• Merging special-ed services may work for some, not others, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Arundel chooses MSAD 71; now real work begins, Laura Dolce, Portsmouth Herald
• Arundel drops out - Saco's costs could rise, Kate Irish Collins, Sun Chronicle
• Kittery fights school merger, Dave Choate, Portsmouth Herald
• School consolidation in progress: Local approval needed to push plan through, Jess Fish, Maine Campus
• Petitions to Repeal Law Being Printed, Ellsworth American
• Who Pays for Personnel After Consolidation?, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Petition drive to repeal school law ready, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• [Bucksport] Eight-member Board to Head Future Regional School Unit 9, Nick Gosling, Ellsworth American
• Surry Residents Get Update on Consolidation, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• [Sedgwick] Apprehension Expressed at RSU Meeting, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• Just Plain Nonsense, Editorial, Ellsworth American
• [Topsham] SAD 75 gets OK to merge or remain independent, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• [Bath] Superintendent presents regional school district map, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• [Yarmouth] Community forum planned on school consolidation, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Freeport] Residents demand forum on school consolidation, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Yarmouth] School consolidation cost-shift discussions continue, Peter Smith, Forecaster
• Thoughts on EPS, consolidation and LD 1, Richard Curtis, Capital Weekly
• [Paris] SAD 17 spurns state, refuses merger talks, Duke Harrington, Advertiser Democrat

October 19

• Consolidation hovers over York, Kate Jones, Portsmouth Herald
• Kittery resolute in opposition to school consolidation, Juli Rothstein, Foster's Democrat
• [Farmington] School merger group making progress, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [Bath] Loss of choice should doom LD 910, Stephen Bowen, Times Record
• [Bath] Look beyond outside rhetoric on merger vote, Bill Haggett, Times Record
• Camden-Rockport board affirms repeal measure, Lynda Clancy, Knox County Times
• Updated Activity on Notices of Intent and Responses since 9/27, DoE, (10/19)

October 20

• [Windsor] Union 133 reticent to join with Augusta district, Mechele Cooper, Kennebec Journal
• New Student Measures, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• Plan requires high schoolers to apply to college to get diploma, Associated Press
• Anti- Consolidation Petitions are Here, Nancy Wolfertz, waldo.villagesoup.com

October 21

• Consolidation complicates issue of teachers' pay, Beth Quimby, Sunday Telegram
• Dozens of bills filed over Maine school merger plan, Dave Choate, Portsmouth Herald
• School Department Mergers To Force Changes In Teacher Pay, AP

October 22

• School mergers should be allowed to play out, Editorial, Press Herald
• Costs outweigh benefits, Douglas Ludewig, Sun Journal
• Teacher contract talks continue in Brunswick, Rachel Ganong, Times Record
• Completion of College Application as a Requirement for High School Graduation, Commissioner Gendron, Informational Letter
• Regulation 132- Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction Approved, Commissioner Gendron, Informational Letter

October 23

• Massachusetts signs on to high-stakes testing, Ron Bancroft, Press Herald
• [Livermore Falls] Board to govern new school system picked, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [Norway] School panel delays action, Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• In Consolidating Districts, States Run Tricky Course To Secure Local Support, Katie Ash, Education Week
• Is Bigger that Much Better?: School District Size, High School Completion, and Post-Secondary Enrollment Rates in Maine, Stephen L. Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center
• notes from School Consolidation Forum, Shapleigh Middle School, Kittery, Maine, keysregion.org

October 24

• [Farmington] Mega-School Board Number Questioned, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• [Farmington] School board's size is concern, Wesley Littlefield, Sun Journal
• Maine bills to amend school merger law pile up for '08, Dave Choate, Portsmouth Herald
• Kittery residents wary of school consolidation, Dave Choate, Portsmouth Herald
• Baldacci a 'one-man band' on consolidation, Victoria Wallack, State House News Service
• January school merger vote unlikely for most districts, Victoria Wallack, State House News Service
• January Deadline on School Consolidation a Bust, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News
• Changing School Partners Spurs Whitefield Meetings, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• Lower State Subsidy Clouds Consolidation Planning, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Governor Beats the Government Consolidation Drum, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News
• Governor's Administration Scrutinized as Top Heavy, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News
• Gendron, Baldacci Hail Results of Laptop Study, DoE press release
• Education Report: Small School Districts Outperform Larger Ones, Maine Heritage Policy Center, Magic City Morning Star

October 25

• [Belfast/Searsport] How do SADs 34, 56 teacher salaries add up?, Tanya Mitchell, Waldo County Citizen
• DOE promises to address funding formula problem, Jessica Alaimo, Sun Journal
• School Districts Can't Make Consolidation Deadline, Ellsworth American
• Bucksport Still Awaits Answers From Department of Education, Nick Gosling, Ellsworth American
• Petition Drive to Repeal Consolidation Law Begins, Ellsworth American
• [Eliot/York] School merger forums scheduled, Portsmouth Herald
• Yarmouth sets forum on school consolidation, Tess Nacelewicz, Press Herald
• Bills to be considered next year cut, Kennebec Journal
• Leaders trim list of bills for 2008 legislative session, Glenn Adams, Associated Press
• [Strong] 25-Member Regional School Unit Recommended, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• Consolidation deadline may challenge Freeport, Durham, Pownal, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Falmouth could take financial hit from school consolidation, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Topsham] SAD 75 eyes potential cuts if state reduces funding, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• Mission all-but-accomplished for Bath, Union 47, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• Legislative Council Action on Bill Requests, Maine Legislative Council

October 26

• [Rumford] School merger panel slates Nov. 7 meeting, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Lewiston] Merger would lead to bump in state aid, Scott Taylor, Sun Journal
• Mount Desert's fair share, Editorial, Mount Desert Islander
• Identity lost as schools consolidate, Ernie Clark, Bangor Daily News
• LD 910: The best choice by far, Rep. Thom Watson, Times Record
• 63 school merger bills bundled up, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• SAU and RPC Requests for Reimbursement of Legal Costs, Commissioner Gendron, DoE Informational Letter

October 27

• A SUPER'S JOB: Schools chief Rich Abramson logs long hours, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal

October 29

• [Bethel] State's size rules might force SAD44 into more costly consolidation option, Alison Aloisio, Bethel Citizen
• Consolidation: Andover residents ask 'Why?' and 'How?', Alison Aloisio, Bethel Citizen
• [Belfast] Cost savings cloudy in consolidation planning, Tanya Mitchell, Waldo County Citizen
• Consolidation repeal campaign begins, Judy Harrison, Bangor Daily News
• Maine Greens hit 'top-down' school consolidation, Susan Cover, Kennebec Journal
• School Consolidation Forum, Marshwood High School, So. Berwick, keysregion.org

October 30

• Petition drive planned for Election Day, Elizabeth Comeau, Press Herald
• District Consolidation Repeal Campaign Under Way, Elizabeth Reinholt, WLBZ
• Consolidation foes tout campaign network, Associated Press, Education Week
• Yarmouth: No to consolidation, Press Herald
• School Consolidation Opponents Challenge Governor's Plan, A.J. Higgins, MPBN (audio link)

October 31

• Yarmouth set to opt out of school consolidation, Tess Nacelewicz, Press Herald
• School Consolidation Opponents Challenge Governor's Plan, MPBN [audio link]
• Merger opponents eye Election Day petitions, Susan M. Cover, Morning Sentinel
• Group seeks York's input on school consolidation plans, Lynn Szymanski, York Weekly
• For schools, cheaper not always better, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Is Bigger that Much Better?: School District Size, High School Completion, and Post-Secondary Enrollment Rates in Maine, Stephen L. Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center
• Yarmouth votes for school independence, Press Herald
• [Mount Desert] Straw poll looks at school funding formula, Bar Harbor Times
• [Mount Desert] What is fair?, Jeffrey Smith, Bar Harbor Times
• Mount Desert voters should just say no, Gail Marshall, Bar Harbor Times
• Consolidation repeal petitions in circulation, Karlene Hale, Capital Weekly
• [Belfast/Searsport] School merger would drive up SAD 34 taxes, Jane Andrews, Republican Journal
• [Phippsburg] Motion to endorse LD 910 fails, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• Freeport/Durham talks intensify, Beth Brogan, Times Record
• Petition drive against school mergers gathers steam, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• Whitefield School, Other Partners to Talk with Wiscasset, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• School Consolidation Amendment Bills Bundled, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News
• Petition Drive to Repeal School Consolidation Law Pushes On, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News
• School Consolidation Opponents Start Petition To Repeal Law, Rhonda Erskine, WCSH
• Lawmakers mull single bill for school merger amendments, Victoria Wallack , State House News

November 1

• [Sullivan] School Union 96 Looks West, East For Best Consolidation Partner, Oka Hutchins, Ellsworth American
• Repeal Effort Begins. Editorial, Ellsworth American
• Another Shoe Ready to Drop, Carle G. Gray, Ellsworth American
• Democrats Shun Consolidation Law Bill, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• [Strong/Western Mountains] School merger committee to recommend options, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [South Berwick] Locals divided over school consolidation, David Ramsay, Portsmouth Herald
• [SADs 5 and 50; SAD 28, Five Town CSD and Union 69] School consolidation work continues, Knox Village Soup
• Merger law tops Bath area ballots, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• [Yarmouth] Public forum says no to consolidation, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Freeport] Residents lobby against consolidation with Durham, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Georgetown scrutinizes Bath-Union 47 bill, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• [Cape Elizabeth] School Board candidates defend spending, oppose consolidation, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• Yarmouth decision sends other towns back to work, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• Contentious Debate Erupts at School Consolidation Meeting, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• Southport faces the high cost of consolidation, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register
• School Consolidation Forum, York Village Elementary School, York, keysregion.org

November 2

• Signing petitions 'to get on the ballot' not a good idea, Editorial, Press Herald
• [Readfield] School Union 42's approval questioned, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• [Mount Desert] School funding formula on ballot, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• [Mount Desert Island] School forum set, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• Repeal the monstrosity, Editorial, Mount Desert Islander
• [Windham] Merger panel votes to move ahead, Michael Hartwell, Lakes Region Weekly
• [Bingham] Consolidation worries small towns, Morning Sentinel
• [Warren] SAD 40 looks south for possible merger, Aaron Miller, Courier-Gazette
• Some districts delay hiring administrators, John Hale, Capital Weekly
• [Harpswell] SAD 75 pushing forward with Lisbon merger, Darcie Moore, Times Record

November 4

• "Chalk this one up to wishful thinking", Editorial cartoon, Sunday Telegram

November 5

• [Greeenville] Schools key to rural community, Diana Bowley, Bangor Daily News

November 6

• [Rockport] Five Town Reorganization Planning Committee schedules public information meeting, Lynda Clancy, Knox County Times
• Petitions ... repealing school district consolidation draw signatures at the polls Tuesday, Susan Milisa Mustapich, Camden Herald
• [Jay/Livermore Falls] School merger plan tabled, Donna Perry, Sun Journal

November 7

• Mount Desert Straw Poll, Chris Crockett, Mount Desert Islander
• School consolidation 'emergency', Lynn Szymanski, Portsmouth Herald
• Voters support funding formula change, Greg Fish, Bar Harbor Times
• School merger law OK'd in Bath, 4 towns, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• Bath/Union 47 Approves Consolidation Proposal, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Wiscasset Schools Seeks New Dance Card Votes, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• SAD 40 Entertains Consolidation Requests From Wiscasset, Somerville, Mike Colbert, Lincoln County News
• Governor Baldacci Says Regionalization will Move Maine Forward, Governor's press release
• School Consolidation: Planning for an Uncertain Future, announcement for 12/07 workshop in Saco, Maine Municipal Association

November 8

• [Bridgton] Cuts and closures are part of the plan in SAD 61, David Harry, Lakes Region Weekly
• Rural schools fight merger plan, Alan Crowell, Morning Sentinel
• Monmouth Consolidation plan will still be incomplete Dec. 1, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• [Wells] School consolidation, A to Z, Jim Kanak, York County Coast Star
• [York] Two residents show for KEYS Region forum on school consolidation, Lynn Szymanski, York Weekly
• [South Berwick] MSAD 35 rejects consolidation with Kittery, Jason Claffey, Foster's Democrat
• Forums set on Falmouth-SAD 51 consolidation, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• [Harpswell] SAD 75 board votes to continue Lisbon talks, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• Bath OKs school plan, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• [Bath] After LD 910, what comes next?, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• [Pownal] Some residents looking for outs on school merger, Michael Reagan, Times Record
• [Rumford] Difficult work begins, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Strong] MSAD 58 May File Consolidation Exemption, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• {Kittery] State gives no direction, Julo Rothstein, Foster's Democrat

November 9

• Baldacci's Maine school consolidation idea unravels, Editorial, Portsmouth Herald
• Kittery schools are still unwanted, Dave Choate, Portsmouth Herald

November 10

• School merger divides Freeport, Tess Nacelewicz, Press Herald

November 12

• [Vermont] State still pushing district consolidation, Matt Ryan, Burlington Free Press

November 13

• School talks set for Chelsea and Augusta, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Biddeford schools to take a hit from reorganization plan, Dina Mendros, York County Journal Tribune
• Consolidation discussion in Kittery tonight, Foster's Democrat
• Woman works to repeal school merger law, Donna Perry, Sun Journal
• Alternative Plan Checklist and Cover Page, Commissioner Gendron, DoE Informational Letter
• Reorganization Plan Checklist and Cover Page, Commissioner Gendron, DoE Informational Letter
• Reorganization Plan Submittal Sheet (*.pdf), DoE | (*.doc) | (*.rtf)
• Reorganization Plan Cover Checklist (*.pdf), DoE | (*.doc) | (*.rtf)
• Clarification on Key Aspects of School Administrative Reorganization, Commissioner Gendron, DoE Informational Letter

November 14

• Maine school merger answers remain elusive, Dave Choate, Portsmouth Herald
• Last Ditch Consolidation Effort Meets Defeat for Wiscasset, Other Schools, Mike Colbert, Lincoln County News
• Whitefield, Wiscasset and Partners Aim For a Plan, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• Southport Voice Against School Consolidation Heard, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Wiscasset School Region Firmed Up with Votes, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• York School Committee seeks legal advice on state-imposed budget process, Lynn Szymanski, York Weekly

November 15

• Kittery offers school merger update, Dave Choate, Portsmouth Herald
• Consolidation Offers Incentives For Bus Transportation Savings, Oka Hutchins, Ellsworth American
• Rockport: Town joins fight to repeal consolidation, George Chappell, Bangor Daily News
• Maine should repeal law that consolidates schools, Keith Cook, Press Herald
• [Mechanic Falls] Merger plan being written, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal
• [Strong] Super district plan up for vote, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [Kennebunk] School merger issues raised, Laura Dolce, York County Coast Star
• New Report Explores how Privatizing a Public School Saved both the School and the Town, Maine Heritage Policy Center, Magic City Morning Star
• Position statement from Maine School Superintendents Association, MSSA
• [Falmouth/Cumberland] Cost-sharing plan evens consolidation impact, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• [Falmouth] School forum attracts small, skeptical crowd, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• Next hurdle for Bath, Union 47: School board election, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• [Rockport] Hard negotiations at consolidation table, Lynda Clancy, Knox County Times
• Rockport Select Board joins consolidation repeal effort, Holly S. Anderson, Knox County Times
• [Camden] Figures suggest no savings in school districts merger, Kim Lincoln, Camden Herald
• [Monmouth] Five towns discuss school mergers, Times Record
• [Strong] School Consolidation Plan Approved, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• [Camden] Figures suggest no savings in school districts merger, Kim Lincoln, Camden Herald
• Southport holds forum on school consolidation, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register
• School Petitions Now Available, Boothbay Register
• [Boothbay] Boards discuss new school budget process, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register
• Tired of the Double Talk, Jim Modisette, Ellsworth American

November 16

• [North Berwick] SAD 60 considering budget cuts due to reorganization act, Jason Claffey, Foster's Democrat
• [Mount Desert Island] Reorganization group readying plan for state approval, Greg Fish, Bar Harbor Times
• Georgetown mulls its fate outside Union 47, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• School merger changes offered, Victoria Wallack, Times Record

November 17

• [Strong] Planners discuss strengths of school reorganization, Valerie Tucker, Morning Sentinel
• York school leader: 'Tension' over consolidation, Kate Jones, Portsmouth Herald
• Small Districts in Maine Outperform Larger Ones, Jason Fortin, School Reform News, Heartland Institute
• Where are the school consolidation petitions?, Jil Crochere, Kennebec Journal
• Saving money does improve Maine education, Susan Gendron, Bangor Daily News
• DOE recommends changes to school consolidation law, Victoria Wallack, Statehouse News

November 19

• Five midcoast towns set for merger of schools, Dennis Hoey, Press Herald
• School consolidation benefits questionable, Jennifer Wickline, Press Herald
• Rockport: Regionalization worries aired, George Chappell, Bangor Daily News
• Many Questions, Few Answers, Chris Galgay, Maine Education Association, News and Views
• Portland eyes ways to trim school costs, Press Herald

November 20

• GSB Board Submits Incomplete RSU Plan to State, Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News
• Wiscasset School Board Denies Georgetown, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• DOE Proposes Changes to School Consolidation Law, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News
• [Oxford] SAD 17 filing plan by Dec. 1, Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• [Strong] School merger plan moving forward, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [Tosham] SAD 75, Lisbon merger developing slowly, Darcie Moore, Times Record

November 21

• Lower Kennebec school merger leads the way, Editorial, Press Herald
• The unraveling of Maine school consolidation, George Smith, Kennebec Journal
• 'Bombshell' on school merger shocks York, Cullen McGough, Portsmouth Herald
• Kittery school budget talks hit a roadblock, Dave Choate, Portsmouth Herald
• [York] Worry over school plan continues, Herb Perry, Portsmouth Herald
• Cost comparisons not apples to apples, Bangor Daily News
• Leaders apprehensive about school law, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• Hancock County Towns to Express Consolidation Frustrations in Report, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• Ellsworth, Prospective Partners Customize Consolidation, Nick Gosling, Ellsworth American
• Dept. of Ed Recommends Changes to Consolidation Law, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American

November 22

• Falmouth-SAD 51 consolidation panel says no cost shifting, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• Freeport finds it difficult to equalize merger costs, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Bath, Union 47 towns get approval to become RSU 1, Alex Lear, Forecaster

November 23

• Consolidation repeal signatures pouring in, Karlene Hale, Capital Weekly
• [Mount Desert] School funding vote in limbo, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• MDI is 'lucky' to keep local controls, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• [Mount Desert Island] School committee deserves thanks, Jill Goldthwait, Mount Desert Islander
• Kittery could start working on school budget in winter rather than spring, Nick Gosling, Foster's Democrat
• [Rumford] SAD 43 board ok's plan, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal

November 24

• [Portland] Baffled by school budget? Study this, Kelley Bouchard, Press Herald
• [Dover-Foxcroft] SAD 68, Union 60 stuck on consolidation, Diana Bowley, Bangor Daily News
• [Searsport] SADs 34, 56 to submit draft consolidation plan, Tanya Mitchell, Waldo County Citizen

November 25

• [Farmington] SAD 9 School plan set for final votes, Don Waterhouse, Morning Sentinel
• Big challenges for Vermont's smallest schools, Gordon Dritschilo, Rutland Herald

November 26

• Freeport plans school consolidation forum, Press Herald
• Hearing set on new school law, Press Herald

November 27

• York could lose schools, gain debt, Cullen McGough, Portsmouth Herald
• State tries to soften blow from school plan, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Consolidation of schools won't serve public interest, Sally Morse, Press Herald
• [Newport] SAD 48 and SAD 38 School merger talks advance, Craig Crosby, Morning Sentinel
• [Rumford] District merger plans shuffled, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• School reorganization won't stand the test of time, Charlie Anderson, Bangor Daily News
• Revenue realities, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• DOE Releases Adequate Yearly Progress List, Department of Education press release

November 28

• Schools see little progress in test scores, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Acton not ready for next consolidation deadline, Andrea Rose, Weekly Observer
• [Farmington] SAD 9 directors vote to submit plan, Wesley Littlefield, Sun Journal
• [Farmington] SAD 9 board OKs consolidation plan, Don Waterhouse, Morning Sentinel
• Augusta, Chelsea may dance, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• [Belfast] SAD 34, 56 merger plan sent to DOE, Jane Andrews, Republican Journal
• York and Wells-Ogunquit send merger plans to state, Lynn Szymanski, York Weekly
• School consolidation a no-win situation, Editorial, York Weekly
• LD 1932: An Act To Amend the Laws Regarding School Funding
• Bill Would Remove Financial Barriers to Consolidation, DoE press release
• DoE municipal cost-sharing template (*.xls), Department of Education, (11/28)
• Alna and Westport Boards Approve School Consolidation, Lee Roberts, Lincoln County News
• Whitefield, Wiscasset and Partner Schools Prepare Consolidation Plan, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• Maine's School Consolidation Mess, Sam Smith, Progressive Review
• Bill addresses glitches in district consolidation law, Associated Press
• SADs 5, 50 submit consolidation reports at Rockland meeting, Stephen Betts, Courier-Gazette

November 29

• Portland School Board Approves Plan To Cut Costs, Kristen Cullen, WLBZ
• Augusta rejects Chelsea merger, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• [Unity] SAD 3 District votes to stand alone, Craig Crosby, Morning Sentinel
• [Thorndike] Alternative plan approved by SAD 3 board
• [Minot] Union 29 board prefers stand-alone district, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal
• Education bill aims to lift barriers to consolidation, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• [Sullivan] Union 96, SAD 37 in talks to merge school districts, Eric Russell, Bangor Daily News
• State Doesn't Always Know Best, Rob Bauer, Ellsworth American
• [Surry] Union 92 to Form Own Regional Unit, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• Confusion Plagues Bucksport Area Consolidation Planning, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• [Sullivan] Consolidation Makes for Strange Bedfellows, Oka Hutchins, Ellsworth American
• [York] Towns forward school merger plans to state, Lynn Szymanski, York County Coast Star
• [Kennebunk] And then there were 12...RSU board members, Laura Dolce, York County Coast Star
• [Portland] State-mandated plan cuts $302K from school spending, Peter Smith, Forecaster
• Questions linger for Falmouth, SAD 51 merger, Peter Smith, Forecaster
• Freeport hopes to keep options open for consolidation, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Topsham] SAD 75, Lisbon submit consolidation report, Alex Lear and Steve Mistler, Forecaster
• [South Portland] School Board OKs non-binding plan to reduce costs, Randy Billings, Forecaster
• Pursuit of school partner extends for Georgetown, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• SADs 5, 50 submit consolidation reports at Rockland meeting, Stephen Betts, Courier-Gazette
• [Franklin County] School boards vote to send consolidation plan, Daily Bulldog
• Tremont push is for local school control, Laurie Schreiber, Bar Harbor Times
• Legislature to hold school consolidation hearing December 12, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register
• Where are those school consolidation petitions?, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register
• Westport, Alna vote on school consolidation plan, Charlotte Boynton, Wiscasset Newspaper

November 30

• [Bethel] Wallflowers at the Consolidation Ball, Alison Aloisio, Bethel Citizen
• [Bethel] Where to from here?, Alison Aloisio, Bethel Citizen
• [Winthrop] Cost questions arise at school consolidation hearing, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• Chelsea's consolidation plan hurts kids, taxpayers, Ellen Creamer, Kennebec Journal
• [Franklin County] School panels send in partial merger plans, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• Bar Harbor: Draft for MDI schools similar to current plan, Bill Trotter, Bangor Daily News
• [Tremont] Selectmen back school plan, Mark Good, Mount Desert Islander
• [Mount Desert Island] RPC is expected to approve joint plan, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• Team effort, Gail Marshall, Brian Hubbell, & Paul Murphy, Mount Desert Islander
• State gears up for school unit plans, AP
• Freeport meets merger deadline, Michael Reagan, Times Record
• [Rockland] SAD 5, SAD 50 agree to submit, George Chappell, Bangor Daily News

December 1

• MDI panel sends in school merger plan, Bill Trotter, Bangor Daily News
• Aurora: CSD 8 wants time to review merger options, Nok-Noi Ricker, Bangor Daily News
• Many school consolidation plans come up short, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal

December 2

• Maine Children's Alliance to offer new education report, [Douglas Rooks], Capital Weekly

December 3

• [Rumford] School consolidation on SAD 43 agenda, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Mount Desert Island] RPC submits plan to state, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander

December 4

• [Bethel] District seeks help with consolidation, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Mount Desert Island] School reorganization plan submitted, Greg Fish, Bar Harbor Times
• Tax shift by state, Richard M. Parent, Bangor Daily News
• Report says Maine's distinctiveness is key to development, Francis X. Quinn, Associated Press
• Cape reviews alternative district plans, Amanda Estes, NextSentry

December 5

• School consolidation plan likely to be costly failure, hurt students, Donald J. Reiter, Kennebec Journal
• Petition to repeal school law filling up, Nok-Noi Ricker, Bangor Daily News
• Underfunded Schools Forced To Cut Past Tense From Language Programs, The Onion
• [Saco, Dayton and Old Orchard Beach] Partial consolidation plan goes to education department, Kate Irish Collins, Sun Chronicle
• Putting a Curious Eye on a High School Ranking System, Samuel G. Freedman, New York Times
• 207 Talks With Education Analyst Steve Bowen, Helen Dailey, WCSH
• New York's BOCES System: A Model for Maine?, Stephen Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center

December 6

• Consolidation plan future in local hands, Kay Rand, Morning Sentinel
• Call for secession met with disbelief, Linda Hersey, keepmecurrent.com
• [Surry] Consolidation Still a Work In Progress in Union 92, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• [Kennebunk] RSU 57 Plan Unveiled, Jim Kanak, York County Coast Star
• [Freeport] Consolidation process far from finished, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Falmouth, SAD 51 eye July 2009, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• Yarmouth submits alternative consolidation plan, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [South Portland] City sends targeted school cuts to state, Randy Billings, Forecaster
• Cape's school plan dodges cost cuts, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• [Waterboro] Officials: SAD 57 budget cuts won't be easy, Ben Bragdon, Waterboro Reporter
• School issue to crowd Maine Legislature's agenda in early '08, Glenn Adams (AP), Foster's Democrat
• [Vermont] School plan remains legislative orphan, Editorial, Burlington Free Press

December 7

• Maranacook, Winthrop are already linking, Betty Adams, Kennebec Journal
• Vassalboro sees June consolidation vote, Mary Grow, Kennebec Journal
• [North Anson] SAD 74 directors not up to consolidation, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• East Millinocket: Katahdin towns wary of neighbor, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• Orono: Town sees online bid to stop RSU plan, Aimee Dolloff, Bangor Daily News
• [Rumford] Merger plans include SAD 39, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• Gray-New Gloucester approves school merger plan, Emily Devlin, keepmecurrent.com
• [Bridgton, Casco, Naples, Sebago] Alternative plan still means cuts, closures for SAD 61, David Harry, Lakes Region Weekly
• Gendron: School Systems Will Meet Target, DoE press release
• Submissions to Comply with December 1 Deadline, DoE chart
• Georgetown rejected again in school merger scramble, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• [Topsham] School merger efforts gaining, Darcie Moore, Times Record
• One district won't submit merger plans, Press Herald
• Education Commissioner Optimistic About School Consolidation Progress, Keith Shortall, MPBN (audio link)

December 8

• Ed chief upbeat on consolidation, AP, Sun Journal
• State reviews school plans, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• [South Berwick] SAD 35 aims to repeal consolidation law, Jason Claffey, Foster's Democrat
• Schools are meeting consolidation targets, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Table of RPCs and 12/01 plan submissions, MDIschools.net
• Group continues to collect signatures to repeal school consolidation, Karlene Hale, Capital Weekly
• Legislators eye school district regionalization, Edward French, Quoddy Tides

December 9

• Consolidation permeates 2008 legislative agenda, Paul Carrier, Sunday Telegram
• School issue to crowd Legislature's agenda in early '08, Glenn Adams, AP

December 10

• [Vermont] Officials weigh in on district consolidation, Sarah Hinckley, Rutland Herald
• [Winslow] Union 52 to overhaul budget procedures, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• Guidance needed on school consolidation concerns, Scott K. Porter, Bangor Daily News
• Position statement of Maine School Supperintendents Association, MSSA Executive Committee (12/07)
• [Vermont] Officials weigh in on district consolidation, Sarah Hinckley, Rutland Herald

December 11

• Medway: Town considers consolidating with SAD 67, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• Greenville: Union 60 and SAD 12 to share superintendent, Diana Bowley, Bangor Daily News

December 12

• Gendron sees merger numbers meeting state goals, Victoria Wallack, State House News
• Landlocked Acton may look to the coast for consolidation partner, Andrea Rose, Weekly Observer
• [Dixfield] School district merger talks set, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• Legislators face challenge on consolidation law, Stephen Bowen, Press Herald
• Work Begins On New Portland School Budget, WMTW
• Consolidation on Course, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• Consolidation's impact on towns considered, Laurie Schreiber, Bar Harbor Times
• [Van Buren] Northern Maine Community Refuses To Submit Consolidation Plan, Sarah Delage, WLBZ
• [Bath] Deadline looms for new RSU candidates, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• Model Budgeting and Staffing Levels for System Administration, DoE | (*.xls)
• Notes on System Administration Models, DoE | (*.rtf)

December 13

• [Dixfield] School merger work begins, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• Lawmakers get earful on consolidation, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Gendron Optimistic on Meeting Consolidation Numbers Goal, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Pay Impact Stalls Bucksport School Consolidation Effort, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• Too Little, Too Late, Carle Gray, Ellsworth American
• Consolidation is One Big Boondoggle, Bruce Carter, Ellsworth American
• Education Committee Votes to Remove Financial Barriers, DoE press release
• [Mount Desert] Voters appove funds to defend local control, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• [Freeport] School choice tests consolidation panel, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [South Portland] School budget spurs move to consolidate polling places, Randy Billings, Forecaster
• [Bath] Regional school board candidate papers due Dec. 17, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• Committee embraces bill to ease district consolidation, AP
• School district consolidation repeal petition over half way complete, Kim Lincoln, Camden Herald
• [Buckfield] SAD 39 casts a line toward River Valley, Duke Harrington, Advertiser Democrat

December 14

• Education panel OKs law changes, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• [South Portland] Polling place consolidation considered, Amanda Estes, South Portland Sentry

December 15

• Changes for Maine school law, Lynn Szymanski, Portsmouth Herald
• Lawmakers use breakfast venue to complain of jail plan, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel

December 16

• [Winslow] Half the cost: Union 52 meets central office reductions by redefining, Colin Hickey, Kennebec Journal
• Ruling on MDI RPC's plan, Commissioner Gendron
• Department of Education rejects Mount Desert Island's school plan, Bar Harbor Times

December 17

• School officials like the idea of delaying votes on budgets, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Orono panels make poor consolidation choice, Alison Williamson, Bangor Daily News
• Ruling on Union 92 RPC's plan, Commissioner Gendron
• State rejects MDI school plan, Mount Desert Islander
• [Bar Harbor] Consolidation plan rejected, Bar Harbor Times

December 18

• Changes Proposed for School Consolidation Law, A. J. Higgins, MPBN (audio link)
• [Madison] SAD 59 superintendent submits surprise resignation, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• New Gloucester selectmen told school merger plan 'ill conceived', Ellie Fellers, Sun Journal
• [Oxford] SAD 17 still waiting for decision on school consolidation plan, Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• Conflagration in Orono, Robert Klose, Bangor Daily News
• Bar Harbor: Island's leaders upset state rejected MDI school plan, Bill Trotter, Bangor Daily News
• Baldacci cuts $38 million from state budget, Paul Carrier, Press Herald
• Maine Revenue & Spending Primer 2007, Edmund Cervone, Maine Center for Economic Policy
• Governor's Response to Revenue Projections, Commissioner Gendron, Informational Letter 64
• Baldacci proposes $38 million in cuts, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• A District Where No Two Schools Are Alike, Larry Abramson, NPR

December 19

• Augusta seeks consolidation relief, Lynn Szymanski, York Weekly
• [Damariscotta] Union 74 Superintendent Updates Local Boards on Consolidation, Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News
• Whitefield Approves Chelsea for Sheepscot Valley RSU, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• Blue Hill Peninsula panel puts consolidation on hold, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• [Mount Desert] No negotiations over local control, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• Letter to Commissioner Gendron, Blue Hill peninsula RPC

December 20

• 'Business as usual' - School budgets wouldn't need voter approval this year under new proposal, Leslie Bridgers, American Journal
• [South Portland] Education School budget faces exacting tests, Linda Hersey, keepmecurrent.com
• [Westbrook] Whew! School officials would welcome referendum delay, Michael Hartwell, Leslie Bridgers, keepmecurrent.com
• [Kittery] State budget cuts could hit local school districts, Shir Haberman, Portsmouth Herald
• Orono panel clarifies consolidation plan, Aimee Dolloff, Bangor Daily News
• Brooksville Committee Endorses Repeal, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• State Rejects MDI School Consolidation Proposal, Becky Buyers-Basso, Ellsworth American
• Christmas Gift for RSU Planners: Frustration, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• Eighty-five percent of the state's school units are in proposed configurations that comply, DoE press release
• Submissions and the Commissioner's responses
• Table of Commissioner's responses with non-complying plans highlighted, MDIschools.net, (12/20)
• Falmouth proposal to prevent cost-shifting considered, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• [Waterboro] SAD 57 to state: Let us keep our name, Ben Bragdon, keepmecurrent.com
• Franklin County's school consolidations plans rated, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• Westbrook, Windham and Raymond request cooking lessons from the Commissioner, Michael Hartwell, Lakes Region Weekly
• Repeal consolidation, Patty Weber, Falmouth Forecaster

December 21

• [Whitefield] Law draws Union 51 members back together, Mechele Cooper, Kennebec Journal
• All but one plan submitted by school units statewide have been labeled "incomplete" by the state, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• [Vassalboro] Senator Mitchell reports on 'Super-unions' and 'service districts', Mary Grow, Kennebec Journal
• [Mount Desert Island] School proposal rejected by state, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• [Mount Desert] State obstinance draws local fire, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• [Mount Desert] Selectmen back school repeal, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• [Trenton] Union 92 school plan is spiked, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• Camden: Gendron rejects SAD 28, CSD plan, George Chappell, Bangor Daily News
• Rejection muddies school consolidation waters, Jill Goldthwait, Mount Desert Islander
• Education Committee approves changes to ease school consolidation, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register
• [Limestone] Committee talks reorganization, Andrew Dyer, Aroostook Republican
• [Arundel, Saco, Old Orchard Beach] DOE offers some relief for schools forced to consolidate, Ashley St. Michel, Courier Connection
• [Rockland, Five Town RPC] State tells school districts how to tighten plans, Lynda Clancy, Knox County Times
• That was then, this is now: time to repeal, Ralph Chapman, Local Maine Schools

December 22

• Union School Associations - Another Option, Rep. Peter Edgecomb, (12/22)
• Wither Goest School Reorganization?, Geoff Herman, Maine Townsman

December 23

• Table of proposed RSUs with links to 12/1 submissions and Commissioner's 12/15 responses, MDIschools.net, (12/23)

December 24

• Pittsfield: SADs 53, 59 proceed on consolidation, Sharon Kiley Mack, Bangor Daily News
• School merger law faces scrutiny, Paul Carrier, Press Herald
• School consolidation will do lasting damage, Patty Weber, Press Herald

December 25

• School consolidation top story, Morning Sentinel

December 26

• School consolidation plan causes upheaval across state in 2007, Lynn Szymanski, York Weekly
• Iowa struggles to narrow education disparities, Lynn Campbell, Des Moines Register

December 27

• Kennebunkport and Arundel both likely to fight to keep local schools, Laura Dolce, York County Coast Star
• Ogunquit and Wells continue to struggle with school funding formula, Jim Kanak, seacoastonline.com
• State revisits part of school consolidation legislation, Randy Billings, Forecaster
• [South Portland, Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth] School districts must clarify consolidation plans, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• Green Party director supports local control and repeal of school consolidation law, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• Sign repeal petition, Lynne Williams, Bar Harbor Times
• More concerns raised about schools plan, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• Student Limit, Cost-sharing Slowing Consolidation, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Thanks for the Help, Commissioner Gendron, Nancy T. Sargent, Ellsworth American
• [Blue Hill] Funds Sought to Finance Consolidation Repeal Effort, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• Yes to consolidation, not to forced consolidation, Paula Gibbs, Wiscasset Newspaper

December 28

• Education head stands ground, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• A disingenuous decision, Editorial, Mount Desert Islander
• Council Resolution in support of MDI RPC, Town Council of Bar Harbor

December 30

• Governor says consolidation steps will go beyond schools and jails, Susan Cover, Morning Sentinel
• Mayor says Maine should be two states, Jenna Russell, Boston Globe

December 31, 2007

• Ten petition drives under way, nine need signatures, Victoria Wallack, villagesoup.com
• In Maine, school 'leadership drain' begins, Deborah Mcdermott, Portsmouth Herald
• Another school option, Representative Peter Edgecomb, Bangor Daily News
• Houlton: Legislators field board's consolidation questions, Jen Lynds, Bangor Daily News
• 'Super-unions' to have day in Legislature, Victoria Wallack, villagesoup.com
• Open Letter to Legislators, Judith Sproule, Local Maine Schools list-serv
• Beyond School District Reorganization: A Vision for Education Reform, Stephen Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center
• Think tank, Bowen urge education innovation, Lynda Clancy, Knox County Times