MDIschools.net

January 1, 2008

• Blue Hill: Vote targets school consolidation, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News

January 2

• Millinocket: Leader pushes for consolidation debate, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• Schools' day of reckoning, Ralph Chapman, Bangor Daily News
• Another way to solve consolidation problems, Stephen Bowen, Morning Sentinel
• [York] Schools look for budget reprieve, Lynn Szymanski, York Weekly
• Wells-Ogunquit schools superintendent considers N.H. job as consolidation looms, Deborah McDermott, Portsmouth Herald
• State Legislatures May Juggle Education Priorities, Fiscal Needs, Linda Jacobson, Education Week
• [Waterboro] SAD 57 seeks public input on plan, Ben Bragdon, keepmecurrent.com
• Education Committee: January 2, 2008, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list

January 3

• School, budget, insurance issues await, Susan M. Cover, Kennebec Journal
• School group's deadline nears, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• Deadlines Near In Repeal Effort, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• Gendron Deserves Respect, Not Censure, Dawn Fortune, Ellsworth American
• [Ellsworth] Consolidation: City Seeks Partners, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• Local Control Battle Looms In Augusta, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• The Consolidation Debacle, Editorial, Ellsworth American
• [South Portland, Portland] City councils find common enemy in state aid formula, Randy Billings, Forecaster
• Education Committee: January 3, 2008, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• One book closes, another opens (Senator Damon withdraws his support for consolidation law), Senator Dennis Damon, Bar Harbor Times

January 4

• Windsor votes Chelsea into unit, Mechele Cooper, Kennebec Journal
• Senator Mitchell reports to Vassalboro, Mary Grow, Kennebec Journal
• Rockport: Panel to review consolidation suggestions, George Chappell, Bangor Daily News
• Veazie, Glenburn address consolidation details, Bangor Daily News
• Augusta: Report: Money trumps learning, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION: Chapters 1 and 2, Maine Children's Alliance
• 'Super union' is focus of debate, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• [Bethel] Potential consolidation partners decide SAD44 is geographically unsuitable, Alison Aloisio, Bethel Citizen
• Second Session Begins, Legislative Bulletin, Maine Municipal Association
• Education Committee 'public forum': January 4, 2008, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• EdComm's schedule and facilitator debriefing, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• Lawmakers Look At Proposed Changes To Consolidation Law, Caroline Cornish, WCSH

January 5

• Lawmakers urge school-merger law fixes, Paul Carrier, Press Herald
• The Case for Consolidation, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• Allowing 'union' model does not increase number of regional units, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• Bullet outline of MDI governance model, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• Rep Pingree at the Education Committee forum (audio links), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list | [*.wav, (17Mb)] | [*.mp3, (50Mb)]

January 8

• [Readfield] Towns to meet for next steps in consolidation, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• Consolidation should be fixed, not tossed, Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• [Oxford] SAD 17 board awaits cost analysis by superintendent, Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• Danforth challenges school consolidation plan, Elizabeth Gartley, Houlton Pioneer Times
• Georgetown looks to rejoin Union 47 for school merger, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• Repeal Preferred, But at the Least Significantly Amend New School Law, Senator Raye, Downeast Coastal Press
• Education Committee: January 8 (January thaw), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• "Super Union" Option Proposed as Alternative to Regional School Unit, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• Legislature's Education Committee Hears Options for Amending New School Consolidation Law, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press

January 9

• School contract issues may modify consolidation plan, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• Gendron expected to oversee Acton, Sanford consolidation talk, Andrea Rose, Weekly Observer
• Lawmakers urge change to consolidation plan, Greg Fish, Bar Harbor Times
• All Quiet on Consolidation?, Scott A. White, Lincoln County News
• [South Bristol] State Responds to Worried Principal's Queries, Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News
• School Consolidation: The Legislature Needs To Do Its Job, David Trahan, Lincoln County News
• Union School Associations, (a description of the concept in the Education Committee's minority report), 01/09
• MEA's comments before the Education Committee, Mark Gray, MEA (01/09)
• Collective Bargaining Provisions of the 2007 School Reorganization Law, Joseph Stupak, MEA (01/09)
• [Searsport] Parents, staff sound off on SAD 56 school shake-up, Steve Fuller, Waldo Independent
• Premise of one of Valley's RSUs main concerns 'flawed', Elizabeth Deprey, Saint John Valley Times
• [Van Buren] SAD 24 argues it was following Maine law regarding RSU plan, Elizabeth Deprey, Saint John Valley Times

January 10

• [West Newfield] Residents reject SAD 57 proposal, Ben Bragdon, keepmecurrent.com
• Commissioner advises Acton, Sanford look at consolidation options, Ellen W. Todd, Sanford News
• Blue Hill Votes Funds to Aid Repeal Effort, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• Legislators: Overhaul School Consolidation, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Falmouth will avoid $1M cost shift with SAD 51, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• [South Portland] School chief sees citywide redistricting, Randy Billings, Forecaster
• New twist in WOCSD-York consolidation talks, Jim Kanak, York County Coast Star
• MacDonald proposes consolidating school administration while maintaining local governance, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register
• [Oxford] State makes 'impossible' demands, Duke Harrington, Advertiser Democrat

January 11

• Maranacook, Winthrop, Fayette: Committee votes to support new cost-sharing formula, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• [Madison] Superintendent gets new job, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• [Dixfield] SADs 43, 21 and 39 seek common threads, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Waterboro] SAD 57 to study student placement, Kristen Schulze Muszynski, Journal Tribune
• Ellsworth, Dexter school projects given OK, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Time is now, Ralph Chapman, Mount Desert Islander
• Reps eye consolidation repair, not repeal, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• Education Committee Takes Input on School Reorganization Law, MMA, Legislative Bulletin
• January 10: report from MDI in Augusta, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• Edgecomb, McFadden, Muse Minority Report - Version 2, Representative Peter Edgecomb, (01/10)
• [Kingfield] School consolidation update, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• Education Committee's schedule for 1/14-1/18, Education Committee Clerk
• Reorganization Deadline Extended, Jennifer Pooler, DoE (1/11)

Janauary 12

• Consolidation of a different flavor, Clarence Begin, Morning Sentinel
• Education panel backs consolidation changes, Mal Leary, Bangor Daily News
• York ends school merger talks, Shir Haberman, Portsmouth Herald
• Friday, January 11: Education Committee amends LD 1932, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• Group Collects Last-Minute Signatures to Repeal School Consolidation Law, Sarah Delage, WLBZ
• Consolidation petitions adding up, Karlene Hale, Capital Weekly

January 13

• Coalition readies itself to defeat school consolidation, Jason Claffey, Foster's Democrat
• [Lewiston] Most school districts have consolidation plans, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Map of Maine's Senate Districts (*.pdf, 1Mb)
• "Super Union" Option Proposed as Alternative to Regional School Unit, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• Legislature's Education Committee Hears Options for Amending New School Consolidation Law, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press

January 14

• Giving a name to numbers, Editorial, Sun Journal
• Map of RSUs proposed by 12/01 RPC submissions, MDIschools.net
• A Commentary on Collective Bargaining and regionalization, Joe Stupak, Maine Education Association (01/14)

January 15

• Cost-sharing the major issue for new unit, Elizabeth Comeau, Kennebec Journal
• Research group talks about ways to reduce Maine's tax burden, Susan M Cover, Kennebec Journal
• Kittery could get break in school-merger law, Shir Haberman, Portsmouth Herald
• Map of current School Unions overlaid on RSUs, MDIschools.net
• Policy forum tackles spending, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• [Embden] Approved consolidation plan for MSAD 74 defies all logic, B. Wendell Routon, Morning Sentinel
• Education Commitee: Jan. 15 (short summary of 'easy' issues'), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list

January 16

• Compromises suggest changes to merger law likely, Victoria Wallack, State House News Service
• York changes tactics and backs out of school consolidation talks, Shir Haberman, York Weekly
• Gendron offers consolidation advice for Acton, Sanford, Andrea Rose, Weekly Observer
• [Whitefield] Sheepscot Valley RSU Planners Focus on Fair Costs, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• [South Bristol] Union 74 Superintendent Responds to Education Commissioner on Fate of SBS, Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News
• Education Committee: January 16: (ballot language and what happens to non-reorganized CSDs), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• Education Committee: Jan. 16: Stretched RSUs and Beefed-up Unions, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• A Commentary on Collective Bargaining and regionalization, Joe Stupak, Maine Education Association (01/14)
• One book closes, another opens (Senator Damon withdraws his support for consolidation law), Senator Dennis Damon, Bar Harbor Times (01/03/2008)

January 17

• Education Committee Recommends Changes to Consolidation Law, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Consolidation repeal effort still short of signatures, Paul Carrier, Morning Sentinel
• [Waterboro] SAD 57 seeks professional advice on reorganization, Ellen W. Todd, Foster's Democrat
• [Dixfield] SAD 21 approves mileage payments to RPC members, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [New Sharon] Educators learn cooperation pays dividends, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• State of the State, Editorial, Ellsworth American
• 'Lack of clarity' cited in school merger bill, Shir Haberman, Portsmouth Herald
• [Wells] WOCSD to file alternative plan, Jim Kanak, York County Coast Star
• [Strong] No savings found in consolidating schools, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• Caribou area RPC supports USAs, RPC press release
• Letter to Legislators in support of USAs, Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Limestone, Caswell, Woodland, Westmanland, Stockholm and New Sweden RPC
• [Portland] State blamed for school budget delay, Randy Billings, Forecaster
• Falmouth, SAD 51 plan leaves out cost analysis, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• [Topsham] Tired of 'top-down' management, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• Education Committee Sends LD1932 to Senate, DoE press release
• Education Committee's LD 1932 Majority Report (1/15 interim version)
• MDI school leaders defend reorganization plan in Augusta, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• Bill modifying consolidation law advances, AP
• Education Committee: Jan 17: (...Gang aft agley), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list

January 18

• Regional Union concept language MDIschools.net (1/18)
• Machias-Area School Planners on Hold for Now, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• School consolidation choice, Rep. Bruce MacDonald, Boothbay Register
• The First Bill to Repair School Consolidation Law Clears Committee, MMA, Legislative Bulletin
• Freeport rethinks Durham tuition, Rachel Ganong, Times Record
• Education Committee schedule - 1/22-1/25

January 19

• [Eliot] Petition fights school mergers, David Ramsay, Portsmouth Herald
• Breakthrough Senate amendment to allow alternative school governance model, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list

January 20

• Lawmakers will face a choice this week over whether they want to make things better for their districts or not, Editorial, Sunday Telegram
• Keeping things in the dark, Todd Mogul, Sun Journal

January 21

• Daily News editorial board agrees to consolidation with Press Herald, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• SAD 15, Union 29 plan to be discussed in Gray, Ellie Fellers, Sun Journal
• Repair or Repeal?, Ralph Chapman
• Regional School Unions, Union School Associations, Super Unions, MDI Plan, Ralph Chapman

January 22

• Howland: SADs 31, 41 to explore uniting as school unit, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• Facts aside, you're going to love consolidation, Ron Bancroft, Press Herald
• Relation between school governance structure and efficiency?, Brian Hubbell
• Ron Bancroft's conclusions need to be revisited after he checks his facts, Ralph Chapman
• Keep focus on students, Gordon Donaldson, Bangor Daily News
• School consolidation repeal fails for 2008, Kennebec Journal
• Petition Gathering To Repeal School Consolidation Law Falls Short, Kara Matuszewsk, WCSH
• MDI may get break on school reorganization, Bar Harbor Times
• Petition drive falling short, Victoria Wallack, Times Record

January 23

• Governors Face Political Hurdles in Seeking Power to Appoint Chiefs, Michele McNeil, Education Week
• School budget may hinge on Augusta, Scott Taylor, Sun Journal
• [Rumford] School merger won't cost more, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• Battle against school law is still on, Shir Haberman, Portsmouth Herald
• York School Committee officially withdraws consolidation plan, Lynn Szymanski, York Weekly
• Maine school consolidation law needs a total restart, Editorial, Portsmouth Herald
• Consolidation repeal petition short of goal, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• Georgetown eyes merger with SAD 75, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• Presque Isle: SAD 1 Teachers' Association calls for repeal of school consolidation law, Jen Lynds, Bangor Daily News
• No Clear Winner in School Consolidation Amendment Fight, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News
• Senate district map (*.pdf, 1MB)
• Senate contact list, sorted by district
• Governor lacks sufficient political capital to carry school consolidation, Eric Conrad, Executive Editor, Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel
• [Damariscotta/Edgecomb] Consolidation Planning on Hold, Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News
• Impasse On Education Savings Vs. Local Control, Editorial, Lincoln County News
• Whither consolidation reform?, Steven Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center
• Education Committee's "Reorganization Issue List", 01/22, (6.8Mb, *.pdf)

January 24

• [Windham] Educators' jobs not on chopping block, Michael Hartwell, Lakes Region Weekly
• [Gray] SAD 15, Union 29 marriage on hold, Ellie Fellers, Sun Journal
• Ellsworth waiting to hear, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• "Misguided Law", Bill Monroe, Ellsworth American
• Preserve the Unions, Editorial, Ellsworth American
• Save our Schools group falls short of petitions: Members believe they will have signatures next January, Karlene Hale, Camden Herald
• SAD 75, Lisbon weigh consolidation with Georgetown, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• [Edgecomb] School consolidation team puts work on hold, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register

January 25

• MDI-backed amendment being introduced, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• School amendment called breakthrough, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• Preserve the Union, Editorial, Mount Desert Islander
• Education Committee's table tracking legislative bill requests regarding reorganization
• "...Potentially positive", MEA News and Views
• Redefining GPA and Recalibrating EPS, MMA, Legislative Bulletin
• Education Committee considers accepting base level cost-sharing, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• Regional Forums on developing regulations for the implementation of Maine Learning Results, Commissioner Gendron, DoE informational letter
• Education Committee's schedule, 01/28-02/01
• Info on my activities, Dick Gould, Local Maine Schools list
• SAD 75 rejects Georgetown request, Darcie Moore, Times Record
• [Bath] RSU 1 election culminates a very long journey, Bob Kalish, Times Record

January 26

• Large cities may lose aid for low-income students, Kelley Bouchard, Morning Sentinel

January 27

• Relation between school governance structure and efficiency?, Brian Hubbell

January 28

• Midcoast towns lead school consolidation, Dennis Hoey, Press Herald
• Subsidy Shift Opposed by Superintendents, MPBN (audio file)
• Governor, Counties Agree in Principle to Corrections Reform, Governor's press release

January 29

• Jail compromise reached, Susan M. Cover, Kennebec Journal
• Repeal Effort Continues, Skip Greenlaw, press release
• School Consolidation Repeal Proposal Misses 2008 Vote, Rhonda Erskine, WLBZ
• Remarks from Maine Coalition to Save Schools press conference, Judy Sproule
• School Law Reform Stalls as Legislature Quibbles over Changes, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press

January 30

• State accused of shortchanging poor kids, Diana Bowley, Bangor Daily News
• [Farmington] Consolidation meetings 'lively', Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• Ron Bancroft's conclusions need to be revisited after he checks his facts, Ralph Chapman
• School Redistricting Law Repeal Effort Misses Deadline, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News
• LD 1932 Education Committee Majority Report (1/30) (*.pdf, 1.4Mb)
• Regional School Union proposed floor amendment (1/30)
• School Governance Issues Rattle Sheepscot Valley RPC, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• MDI RPC interim progress report (1/30)

January 31, 2008

• [Readfield] Key talks tonight for school unit, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Not enough signatures for consolidation petition in South Berwick, Jason Claffey, Foster's Democrat
• L-A schools working on working together, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Testimony given to Rural Caucus, Skip Greenlaw
• Report from Augusta, Skip Greenlaw
• [Topsham] SAD 75 board turns away Georgetown, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• Report from Rural Caucus meeting in Augusta, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• Preparing Our Students For the 21st Century, Commissioner Gendron's Introduction for the Regional Forums (video link)
• 21st Century Learning web-site, Department of Education

February 1, 2008

• [Readfield] New district prompting creativity, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Let's try consolidation in a few school districts first, Douglas Ludewig, Kennebec Journal
• [Saint John Valley] RSU central office, board would cost more than the current system, Elizabeth Deprey, Saint John Valley Times
• [Van Buren] DoE to VB: All is now forgiven, Elizabeth Deprey, Saint John Valley Times
• Effort to Fix School Reorganization Law Slows Down, MMA, Legislative Bulletin
• Amendment to LD 1932 updated, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• Updated Regional School Union amendment (2/01)
• Education Committee Schedule: Feb 4-8
• [Boothbay] Consolidation hearing sparsely attended, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register

February 2

• Loophole may allow Kittery to forego school consolidation, Nick Gosling, Foster's Democrat

February 3

• School consolidation petition drive rolls on, Victoria Wallack, waldo.villagesoup.com
• Referendum won't stop school mergers in '08, Editorial, Sunday Telegram

February 4

• Rural caucus to meet on consolidation plan, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News

February 5

• Local control of education should have its limits, Elinor Multer, Press Herald
• Too much football, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools email list
• District Decisions, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• [Farmington] Forum set on school restructuring, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [Farmington] SAD 9 directors wrestle to cut budget to meet EPS, Don Waterhouse, Kennebec Journal
• NorthStar's Formation Can Inform the MSAD 58 and MSAD 9 School Reorganization Planning Process, Rick Batt, Daily Bulldog
• [Falmouth] District Submits 'Model Plan' For Consolidation, Jackie Couture, WMTW
• "Exemplary" Falmouth/SAD 51 reorganization plan
• Consolidation repeal effort falls short, Greg Fish, Bar Harbor Times
• [Falmouth] Schools praised for consolidation plan, Press Herald

February 6

• [Hallowell] Hall-Dale, others forge new school unit, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [Rumford] Governing board creation approved, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• Education Commissioner Praises First School Consolidation Plan But Scores of Towns Still Oppose, Keith McKeen, MPBN
• School districts to learn how state aid adds up, Victoria Wallack, keepmecurrent.com
• Update on School Regionalization, MEA Activist
• Resolution on Mandated School Reorganization, MSAD 1 Education Association
• State targeted reductions in General Purpose Aid to Local Education, MSMA Bulletin
• State budget reduction targets itemized by legislative policy committee, 2/06/2008
• More School Consolidation Revisions Coming, Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News
• Southport Defies State Statute on School Budget Vote, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• State School Aid Figures Out This Week, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News
• Tentative timeline for June 10 referendum on reorganization, DoE
• [Saint John Valley] Valley school consolidation, Rep. Ken Theriault, Saint John Valley Times
• Easton school told by Commissioner to 'wait and see', Scott Mitchell Johnson, Star Herald

February 7

• [Milbridge] SAD 37 Rebuffs State Push for Vocational Ed High School, Oka Hutchins, Ellsworth American
• LD 1932
• Committee Majority Report summary and fiscal note
• Committee Minority Report summary and fiscal note
• Raye Amendment summary and fiscal note
• Gooley Amendment summary and fiscal note
• Raye Amendment 'B' summary and fiscal note
• Mitchell Amendment summary and fiscal note
• Damon Amendment summary and fiscal note
• Basis of fiscal note for LD 1932?, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• Falmouth, SAD 51 plan gets praise and approval, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• School budget addresses rise in behavioral problems, Mercedes Grandin, keepmecurrent.com
• Scarborough Efficiency Indicators, Scarborough School Department
• Frye Island loses school cost challenge, Associated Press
• Southport decides not to follow new school budget process, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register

February 8

• [Mount Desert] RPC seeks legal funds, Becky Buyers-Basso, Mount Desert Islander
• Baldacci agency merger plan on the rocks, Paul Carrier, Press Herald
• Pittsfield: Medicaid cuts stall SAD 53's student counseling program, Sharon Kiley Mack, Bangor Daily News
• Cherryfield: SAD 37 to vote on closure of 2 schools, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• [Strong] School consolidation savings questioned, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• School Consolidation Laws Lining up in the Queue, MMA, Legislative Bulletin
• [Farmington] Pessimism defines the school consolidation process, supers say, Bobbie Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• [Bar Harbor] Union 98 model offered as state plan alternative, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• Chart comparing LD 1932 amendments, MDIschools.net
• S-410: Committee Majority Report summary and fiscal note
• S-419: Damon Amendment summary and fiscal note
• S-411: Committee Minority Report summary and fiscal note
• S-414 & S-421: Raye Amendment summary and fiscal note
• S-417: Raye Amendment 'B' summary and fiscal note
• S-416: Gooley Amendment summary and fiscal note
• S-418: Mitchell Amendment summary and fiscal note
• S-420: Raye Amendment 'B' summary and fiscal note
• Education Committee's schedule, 2/11-2/15

February 9

• School Reorganization: The Municipal Clerk's Responsibilities, MMA powerpoint (*.ppt) (10/04)
• [Farmington] School leaders criticize Augusta, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• Legislative's Education Committee To Hold Public Hearings on School District Reorganization Bills, Education Committee press release
• Summary: LR 3490: Education Committee Bill 'A' | (2/09) complete LR: (*.htm), (*.doc)
• Summary: LR 3491: Education Committee Bill 'B' | (2/09) complete LR: (*.htm), (*.doc)
• Email public hearing comments to Education Committee: schooladmin@legislature.maine.gov

February 10

• Unnatural merger, Jill Goldthwait, Sun Journal
• The Fund for the Efficient Delivery of Local and Regional Services, Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services

February 11

• Proposed school law changes delay drafting of merger plans, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• [Poland] Union 29 seeks to stand alone, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal
• [Strong] Consolidation plan complete: No savings seen for first three years, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• York reconsiders consolidation, Lynn Szymanski, Portsmouth Herald
• School Quality and Cost: What Difference Does the District Make?, Gordon Donaldson, University of Maine
• [Hallowell] Rep. Treat to attend school district consolidation meeting Wedneday at Hall-Dale High School, Capital Weekly
• The School Budget Validation Process: Empowering Voters, Achieving Savings, Stephen Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center

February 12

• [Anson] SAD 74 residents plead to keep town schools, Morning Sentinel
• Education shifts win tepid praise, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• School Budget Validation Process Widely Popular and Fiscally Responsible, Maine Heritage Policy Center
• [Farmington] MSAD 9 board approves consolidation plan for legal review, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• RSU 1 board votes to bypass the state's work on consolidation, Seth Koenig, Times Record
• State school aid returns to chopping block, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• [Roll call] Senate approves Damon amendment to LD 1932
• Sen. Weston applauds vote for local control of schools, villagesoup.com

February 13

• Education funding likely budget target, Victoria Wallack, State House News

Baldacci fights Commissioner's plan to cut state school aid, Paul Carrier, Kennebec Journal

• Jackman unlikely school consolidation partner, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• Educators: State needs 'reality check', Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Senate OKs school consolidation changes, Elbert Aull, Press Herald.
• Senate carries Damon amendment with LD 1932 Majority Report, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools email list
• Union plan passes Senate, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• State Senate approves MDI schools plan, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• "Super School Union" amendment to LD1932 advances in Senate, Steven Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center

February 14

• [Saint John Valley] Valley school consolidation, Rep. Ken Theriault, Saint John Valley Times
• Easton school told by Commissioner to 'wait and see', Scott Mitchell Johnson, Star Herald
• York schools, state disagree on merger plan, Susan Chamberlain, Portsmouth Herald
• School unions work, John Hedman, Bangor Daily News
• State issues report claiming schools exceed 'spending cap', Kennebec Journal
• Press release from State Economist
• Maine schools overspending, report concludes, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Question about LD 1 and school spending, Brian Hubbell
• Frost heaves, black ice, a Valentine, and a smoke bomb, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• Statistical smoke bomb
• (Second reading of 2/07 question to DoE): Basis of fiscal note?, Brian Hubbell
• Re: Basis of fiscal note for LD 1932?, David Connerty-Marin, Local Maine Schools list
• Re: Basis of fiscal note for LD 1932?, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list

February 15

• SAD 47-Waterville merger dying, Kennebec Journal
• Supplementally Reducing Supplemental Reductions, MMA, Legislative Bulletin
• Maine schools overspending, report concludes, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Open letter to Director of State Planning Office, Paul Stearns

February 16

• The real worth of school budget validation process, Stephen Bowen, Bangor Daily News
• The School Budget Validation Process: Empowering Voters, Achieving Savings, Stephen Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center
• In Augusta, Deja Vu all over again, Stephen Bowen, MHPC blog

February 17

• Correlation is not causation | (*.pdf) | (*.doc), an annotation of DoE talking points: "Why Unions Don't Work"
• Katie Couric does makes the sun come up in the morning! [New Poll Shows Correlation is Causation]

February 18

• Budget cuts hurting Maine's most vulnerable, James McBreairty, Bangor Daily News

February 19

• Machias, Washington Academy Investigate Sharing Resources, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• Senate Passes "Super-Union" Amendment, 18-17, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press

February 20

• [York] School merge avoidable?, Lynn Szymanski, York Weekly
• Sheepscot Valley RPC Clinches Governance Basics, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• Potential Cost Sharing Factors, DoE
• School law fix on hold in Senate, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• Committee endorses flat funding for schools, Victoria Wallack, Times Record
• State proposes cutting $36.8 million from commitment to education, 50% from minimum receivers, Education Committee (*.pdf, 1.5Mb)
• School unions: Correlation doesn't mean causation, Brian Hubbell, Bangor Daily News
• Why Regional Unions Work and Why Maine Needs Them, MDIschools.net

February 21

• [Oakland] Consolidation desire persists School Union 52 wants talks to continue, Morning Sentinel
• [Kingfield] MSAD 58 denied consolidation exemption by a hundredth of a percentage point, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• [Phillips] State denies exemption for SAD 58, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• School District Consolidation Plan Is Flawed, Rep. Rob Eaton, Ellsworth American
• In Baldacci's crosshairs, Editorial, Ellsworth American
• Politicos counterattack on school district plan, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• Fight Club, Augusta style, Gail Marshall, Bar Harbor Times
• Storms before and after the break, Senator Dennis Damon, Bar Harbor Times
• Letter to legislators with Regional School Union Fact Sheet
• One Long Haul, Paula Gibb, Wiscasset Newspaper
• Open letter to Director of State Planning Office, Paul Stearns
• [View from Vermont] Panel votes to replace property tax with income, Dave Gram (AP), Times Argus

February 22

• China schools ponder future, Mary Grow, Kennebec Journal
• [Farmington] Turnover in SAD 9 board of directors, Don Waterhouse, Kennebec Journal
• Union-esque plan foments disunion, Jill Goldthwait, Mount Desert Islander
• In Baldacci's crosshairs, Editorial, Mount Desert Islander
• School union option debated by legislators, Edward French, Quoddy Tides

February 23

• Education Committee Schedule, 2/25-2/29

February 24

• [Waterville] School Union 52 re-thinks consolidation options, Kennebec Journal
• [View from Vermont] Crisis, what crisis?, Editorial, Times Argus

February 25

• Senate moves LD 1932 w/Damon amendment to the House, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• When 'No' doesn't really mean no (Senate moves LD 1932 to the House (details)), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• Senate reaffirms union move, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• LD 1932 as amended by Senate with chart of pending House amendments, MDIschools.net (2/25)
• School Consolidation Bill Amendment Draws Fire, A.J. Higgins, MPBN
• Vt. educators to talk consolidation, Elizabeth Martin, [Vermont] Eagle Times

February 26

• School consolidation bills to have hearings, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• LD 1 funding to schools may not be realistic now, Editorial, Morning Sentinel
• Waterville awaits school plan fallout, Morning Sentinel
• Presque Isle: Gendron hears struggles of regionalization, Jen Lynds, Bangor Daily News
• Fight looms over fix for school law, Press Herald
• Education Committee looking to take school budget vote rights away from thousands of Mainers, Steven Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center
• [View from Vermont] Debate on school districts tonight, Josh O'Gorman, Rutland Herald

February 27

• Waterville schools seek alternative to consolidation talks, Amy Calder, Kennebec Journal
• Gloria Gaynor and 'Ding an Sich' (Education Committee hearing on "Bucket Bills"), Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• Bills tackle new school districts' budgets, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Voice of the students, Bangor Daily News
• [Lincoln] RSU 17 to reveal finances, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• House holds fate of school merger amendment, Victoria Wallack, keepmecurrent.com
• Stormy economic forecast, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• State per-pupil education costs, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• School consolidation fix goes to House, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• Sheepscot Valley RSU: Cost Sharing Raises the Heat, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• [Frenchville] School consolidators consider what-ifs, Elizabeth Deprey, Saint John Valley Times

February 28

• School unions a step toward higher taxes, Editorial, Press Herald
• Augusta Schools could partner with Georgetown, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• Bucksport RSU Panel Tables Further Talks About Consolidation, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• House eyes school law changes, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• State Costs of Regional School Governance vs. Local Governance, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• State Costs of Regional School Governance vs. Local Governance (incl. source data)
• [Freeport] Decision due on regional school cost-sharing plan, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Bath] RSU board discusses options for students from Arrowsic, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• [View from Vermont] Poor towns aren't gaming Act 68 systemPoor towns aren't gaming Act 68 system, Jack Hoffman, Times Argus

February 29, 2008

• [Dixfield] School merger formula under study, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• School union proviso jumps Senate hurdle, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• [Westbrook] 3-way school merger vote due Monday, Michael Hartwell, Lakes Region Weekly
• School consolidation fix-up bills, MMA, Legislative Bulletin
• Education Committee Schedule, March 3-7
• [Searsport] Frustrated SAD 56 residents: 'You call this a public hearing?', Steve Fuller, Waldo Independent
• Caribou area RPC supports Damon amendment, Local Maine Schools list

March 1, 2008

• Houlton: Council hopes to reverse school law, Jen Lynds, Bangor Daily News

March 2

• Three towns' plan to merge schools draws state praise, Tess Nascelewicz, Press Herald
• [Saco] RSU panel foresees little savings in consolidation, Journal Tribune
• Why Regional Unions Work and Why Maine Needs Them, MDIschools.net (3/01) [*.pdf printable version]
• State per-pupil subsidy as a function of governance and size of SAU (Graph)

March 3

• Greene candidates skeptical about consolidation, Tony F. Reaves, Sun Journal
• Lincoln: RSU 17 panel delays meeting over finances, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• [Frenchville] School consolidators consider what-ifs, Elizabeth Deprey, Saint John Valley Times (2/27)
• Maine Small Schools Coalition Winter Meeting, March 7, Orono
• Why Regional Unions Work and Why Maine Needs Them, MDIschools.net (3/01) [*.pdf printable version]
• State per-pupil subsidy as a function of governance and size of SAU (Graph)
• Department of Education delays publicizing projected cuts in subsidies, DoE Media Advisory (3/03)
• 'Why the Department believes unions are inefficient', DoE web page
• Department takes off the gloves, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine School list
• Come again, Commissioner?, Gordon Donaldson

March 4

• Cherryfield: SAD 37 board votes to keep schools open for now, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• Winslow school plan still alive, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• State tells school officials they must justify withdrawal from merger talks, Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel

March 5

• Three communities show that consolidation works, Editorial, Press Herald
• State: New high school requirements should be suspended, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• School union intact Despite Waterville's pull-out, 7 towns plan to consolidate, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• Winners and losers: 'preliminary' cuts in General Purpose Aid for Local Schools, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• CORRECTION: Winners and losers: 'preliminary' cuts in General Purpose Aid for Local Schools, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• [Windham] Common cause not found in consolidation talks, Michael Hartwell, Lakes Region Weekly
• [Bar Harbor] State cuts cause school headaches, Mark Good, Mount Desert Islander
• Q&A on LD 1932, the "Damon Amendment" and School Unions, Representative David Farrington
• Deja vu, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• Let the Budget Drama Begin!, PolitickerME.com
• New budget package could allow for school bill veto, Francis X. Quinn, AP
• Details of Budget Revisions Released, Governor's press release
• Governor's Change Package language, including new education section 'LLL'
• School Consolidation Deadline Looms As Legislature Debates Amendments To Law, Chris Facchini, WCSH
• Sheepscot Valley RSU Replaces Co-Chair; Nears Deadline, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• Coastal Schools Hit Hard By Budget Cuts, Susan Sharon, MPBN
• [Bar Harbor] State cuts cause school headaches, Mark Good, Mount Desert Islander

March 6

• Validation ballots draw officials' ire, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• Baldacci seeks to undercut MDI, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• [Freeport] Subcommittee sees promise in school consolidation, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Mount Desert Island] State may slash special ed funds, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• House passes LD 1932 with Damon/MacDonald amendment, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• LD 1932 Roll Call vote, sorted by vote and party, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• Amended School Consolidation Bill Passes House, A. J. Higgins, MPBN
• Southport goes it alone by passing school budget at annual meeting, Leigh Sherrill, Boothbay Register
• [View from Vermont] Voters here and statewide back school spending plans, Andy Kirkaldy, Addison County Independent

March 7

• Coast, country to lose education aid, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• School funding gimmick courts disaster, David Trahan, Bangor Daily News
• State trash talks school unions, Greg Fish, Bar Harbor Times
• Governor's Change Package GPA, DoE (3/04)
• The Municipal Impact of the "Change Package". MMA, Legislative Bulletin
• LD 1932 chart, as amended by Senate and House, MDIschools.net (3/07) [*.pdf printable version]
• BULLETIN: DoE recalls 281s because of errors in Special Ed subsidies, MSMA
• House Approves School Consolidation Law Amendments, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Choice exemption would harm RSU 1, William Haggett, Times Record
• [View from Vermont] Spending control, Editorial, Brattleboro Reformer

March 8

• School solutions, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• Why the city papers don't mind the GPA distribution: Subsidy as a function of school size: GRAPH
• Preliminary DoE 2008-09 GPA subsidy figures sorted by percent change from last year
• Preliminary DoE 2008-09 per-pupil GPA sorted by percentage of total education cost

March 9

• Greenville's school union offers local control and savings, John Simko, Sunday Telegram
• More data needed to vote on school consolidation, George Seel, Kennebec Journal
• Percentage of state aid to local education: MAP, MDIschools.net

March 10

• Total per-pupil education cost as a function of State subsidy: GRAPH, MDIschools.net
• DoE relaxes requirements for RPCs' March 28 submission deadline, Commissioner Gendron
• Department of Education still struggling with setting 281s
• Senate insists on LD 1932, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list

March 11

• Senate seeks meeting to iron out school law, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• General Purpose Aid for Local Schools, Governor's Change Package: UPDATED 3/10, DoE
• [Topsham] SAD 75 questions financial wisdom of joining Lisbon, Darcie Moore, Times Record

March 12

• Consolidation confusion, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• Baldacci's school plan necessary, Danny Lafayette, Bangor Daily News
• Senate Rejects School Consolidation Law Amendments, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• York schools lose $900,000 because of state budget shortfall, Lynn Szymanski, York Weekly
• Some districts win (SAD 3), some lose, Victoria Wallack, waldo.villagesoup.com
• Some schools gain, others lose in state aid, Victoria wallack, Times Record
• [Belfast] Doubts raised on school funding increase, Jane Andrews, Republican Journal
• State Cuts For Education Changing by the Hour, Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News
• South Bristol Straw Poll Says 'No' to Consolidation, Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News
• Newcastle Candidate Wants Great Salt Bay Private, Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News
• Supt. Mcintire Suggests Wiscasset Exit RSD, Greg Foster, Lincocln County News
• School Consolidation Work Remains 'On Hold', Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News

March 13

• School governance structure of minimum receivers: CHART, MDIschools.net
• Lean times - and chicanery, Editorial, Bar Harbor Times
• [Richmond] Panelist: Schools' identities to be preserved, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [North Anson] SAD 74 AND SAD 13 Cost of school consolidation: Superintendent replaces principal, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• [Bridgton] Job cuts proposed in SAD 61 budget, Michael Hartwell, Lakes Region Weekly
• [Brunswick] Education aid figures look good to locals, Seth Koenig, Times Record
• State delivers funding blow to Camden-Rockport, Lynda Clancy, knox.villagesoup.com
• Orland Consolidated Faces Major Cut, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• State Aid Picture Worsens For Hancock County Towns, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• Another End Run by the Governor, Editorial, Ellsworth American
• [Elsewhere] States Eye Looser Rein on Districts, Linda Jacobson, Education Week
• [Topsham] Revenue doubts dog school consolidation hearings, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• Georgetown teachers voice distress over consolidation issue, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• [Southern Maine] Superintendents prefer governor's budget plan, Press Herald
• [Wells] Baldacci budget cuts state school funding, Jim Kanak, York County Coast Star
• [Boothbay] CSD Trustees discuss state subsidy loss of 50 percent; cuts to be made, Lisa Kristoff, Boothbay Register
• [Wiscasset] School budget increase now 12%, Paula Gibbs, Wiscasset Newspaper
• [View from Vermont] Rhetoric ignores reality in education, Peter Herman, Rutland Herald
• [Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Dayton] RPC working on 'fair share' proposal in time for state's deadline, Stowell P. Watters, Courier

March 14

• Total school spending vs. governance and unit size: a VERY startling graph, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• The Hidden LD 1 Cost-Shift, Stephen Bowen, The Maine View, MHPC
• Computer problem skews subsidy levels, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• Enfield: School finds budget cut solution, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• Columnist shortchanges lawmakers, Representative David Farrington, Press Herald
• Learning Results a complete, disastrous failure, Alan Haley, Kennebec Journal
• [Topsham] Public input critical in school merger decisions, Darcie Moore, Times Record
• Reconciled by Committee of Conference, LD 1932 returns to Senate, Local Maine Schools list

March 15

• Shoddy assertions, Judith D. Jones, Bangor Daily News
• School spending as a function of local income and school unit size, MDIschools.net | GRAPH

March 16

• [Augusta] Schools still awaiting word from state on funds, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• [View from Massachusetts] Are Our Schools Top-Heavy?, Alexandra Mayer-Hohdahl, The Lowell Sun
• Table of (updated) GPA figures proposed in Governor's Change Package

March 17

• Schools to be hit by Maine's budget shortfall, Nick Gosling, Foster's Democrat
• Size, subsidy, income, spending, and equity: a comparison of high-performing high schools, MDIschools.net
• [Topsham, Lisbon, Harpswell] With finances still an obstacle, plan may go forward for approval, Darcie Moore, Times Record
• Local schools face large cuts in state funds, Edward French, Quoddy Tides
• School law penalty losing its punch?, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times

March 18

• Skowhegan superintendent says funding formula favors larger districts, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• LD 1932 Committee of Conference report (3/14)
• Rep. Henry Joy Submits Bill to Repeal Commitment to Fund 55 Percent of School Spending, Maine Republican Party press release
• [Arundel/Kennebunk/Kennebunkport] Cost-shifting and unfunded mandates hinder progress, Journal Tribune
• Camden area school district consolidation work put on hold -- Waiting for Legislature to work out quirks, Kim Lincoln, Camden Herald
• Lisbon School Committee hopes to avoid penalties, Rachel Ganong, Times Record

March 19

• [Strong] Changes to Western Mountain school merger plans considered; Jay region on hold
• Authority Grab Eroding Stature of State Boards, Michele McNeil, Education Week
• State aid as a percentage of total local school spending, MDIschools.net
• Last Minute State Cuts Leave Nobleboro Taxpayers Holding The Bag, Mike Colbert, Lincoln County News
• South Bristol Validates School Budget, Lincoln County News
• [Newcastle] Union 74 Schools Discuss Privatization, Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News
• MDI schools juggle budgets with special ed cut, Laurie Schreiber, Bar Harbor Times
• School union bill holds on, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• Budget talks: Turning principles into policy, Francis X. Quinn, AP

March 20

• School funding debate looms, Susan M. Cover, Kennebec Journal
• [Vassalboro] Towns weigh school unit, Kennebec Journal
• Budget would cut private school funds, Craig Crosby, Morning Sentinel
• [Sullivan] Information Meeting on School Consolidation Set for March 25
• Important Choice For Franklin, Nancy Glista, Ellsworth American
• [Bowdoinham/Topsham/Lisbon] One district's journey to school consolidation: Without financial incentives, it may fail, Dan Billings, Morning Sentinel
• With merger law in flux, schools doing guesswork, Paul Carrier, Press Herald
• [Freeport/Durham/Pownal] School consolidation plan still in doubt, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Topsham, Harpswell, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Lisbon] Residents question SAD 75-Lisbon consolidation, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• Senate accepts Committee of Conference report on LD 1932, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list

March 21

• [Anson, Embden, New Portland, Solon, Bingham, Caratunk, Moscow] Districts weigh merger plan, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• [Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Temple, Vienna, Weld, Wilton, Avon, Eustis, Kingfield, Phillips, Strong] Consolidation question remains murky, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• Taking no prisoners, Editorial, Mount Desert Islander
• [Department of Education says] Bill To Amend School Consolidation Law Goes From Minor Fixes To Major Changes, Chris Facchini, WCSH
• School Reorganization Fix-up Law - The Saga Continues, MMA, Legislative Bulletin
• [Topsham, Harpswell, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham] SAD 75 votes against merging with Lisbon, Darcie Moore, Times Record
• Fairness returns to the fore in education funding debate, Stowell P. Watters, Kennebunk/ Kennebunkport Post

March 22

• [North Anson, Embden, New Portland, Solon, Bingham] SAD 74 residents wary of cost-cutting measures, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• Some concerns about school consolidation are valid, Barry McLaughlin and Kristin Malin, Bangor Daily News
• [View from New Jersey] In N.J., Governor Has Urge To Merge, Keith B. Richburg, Washington Post

March 24

• Consolidation foes set to descend on Statehouse, Susan Cover, Kennebec Journal
• [Lake Region/SAD 61] Job cuts draw harsh response, Michael Hartwell, Lakes Region Weekly
• Message from the Commissioner, DoE Reorganization update

March 25

• Winslow, Vassalboro consider reforming School Union 52, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• Critics intensify efforts to repeal school legislation, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• House passes LD 1932 as amended by Committee of Conference: 104-41
• Legislature defies Gov. Baldacci: School showdown looms, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• Measure to Revamp School Consolidation Approved, A.J. Higgins, MPBN
• House passes changes to school district consolidation, Daily Bulldog
• Machias-Area RPC Gets Update on Schools Law, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• Senate Passes School Reorganization Reform by Veto-Proof Two-Thirds Majority, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press

March 26

• [York] School Committee to submit alternative plan, Lynn Szymanski, York Weekly
• School law change has House OK, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• Whitefield Validates School Budget, Lincoln County News
• Newcastle Candidate Introduces School Privatization To Damariscotta, Kim Fletcher, Lincoln County News
• Legislature gives MDI local school control, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• [Farmington] MSAD 9 board votes to submit consolidation plan, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• Georgetown to make due diligence argument, Bob Kalish, Times Record

March 27

• [Sullivan] Topic of Cost Savings Good for a Laugh, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• Where is the savings?, Skip Greenlaw, York County Coast Star
• LD 2280: An Act To Clarify and Improve the Laws Governing the Formation of Regional School Units, Education Committee bill
• LD 2280 Minority Report (The "repeal bill")
• LD 2281: An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the Reorganization of School Administrative Units
• LD 2281: Minority Report (1-year delay)
• [Freeport, Durham, Pownal] RPC needs more time to submit state plan, Amy Anderson, Forecaster

March 28

• Joy in School Funding, Editorial, Bangor Daily News6:38 AM 3/28/2008
• Updated school merger plans due today, Matthew Stone, Morning Sentinel
• [Kingfield] Deep cuts proposed for MSAD 58; Superintendent does not believe voters will approve RPC plan, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• Bumps in the road for RSU 1 school board, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• Somebody is not telling the truth here, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• School district merger plans due today, Press Herald

March 29

• [Farmington] SAD 9 New merger plan sent, Don Waterhouse, Kennebec Journal

March 30

• Educational mandates create unfair tax burden, Jim Wright, Kennebec Journal

March 31, 2008

• Fight over school unions headed for a showdown, Editorial, Press Herald
• [Oxford] SAD 17 merger in 'chaos,' chief says, Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• Noise over teacher award just another spin, Roger S. Shaw, Bangor Daily News
• School merger plans: SAD 35, York file to stay intact, Susan Chamberlin, Portsmouth Herald
• [Bar Harbor] State funding cuts deepen for Conners-Emerson School, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• Machias-Area RPC Gets Update on Schools Law, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• Senate Passes School Reorganization Reform by Veto-Proof Two-Thirds Majority, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press

April 1, 2008

• Legislature enacts budget, Francis X. Quinn, Associated Press, Sun Journal
• WINDSOR: Town will shelter key school funds, Mechele Cooper, Kennebec Journal
• [Buckfield, Dixfield, Rumford] Three districts report on consolidation efforts, Tom Standard, Sun Journal
• Wiscasset Board Refers RSU Decision for Referendum, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Merger bill sputters in House, Victoria Wallack, keepmecurrent.com
• House Roll Call on emergency enactment of LD 1932
• Houses Passes Committee Report on Schools Bill 104-41, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press

April 2

• [Oakland] Cuts sour efforts toward consolidation, Joel Elliott, Kennebec Journal
• Department reports not much RPC activity since January, Susan Cover, Press Herald
• Second House Roll Call on enactment of LD 1932
• Analysis and breakdown of House Roll Call on enactment of LD 1932
• Senate Roll Call on LD 1932 amended to remove emergency preamble
• ...Please thank these Senators

April 3

• Bill Amending Consolidation Law Stalls in House, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• School district mergers likely to survive, Editorial, Press Herald
• Future of Adams School Is a Hot Topic in Castine, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• Is That How You Spell Relief?, Richard Malaby, Ellsowrth American
• [Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Dayton] New school district plan almost ready for voters, Kate Irish Collins, Sun Chronicle
• [Cumberland, North Yarmouth] State funding for SAD 51 results in lower taxes, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• Freeport school consolidation hinges on legislation, Amy Anderson, Forecaster

April 4

• Maine 8th graders win high marks in writing report, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• House passes LD 1932 to be enacted
• Lawmakers stuck on school bill, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• To Falmouth and SAD 51: Please join us in support of LD 1932 as amended, Brian Hubbell, Local Maine Schools list
• School Officials Getting Frustrated With Maine Legislature, Rhonda Erskine, WCSH

April 5

• York, Wells, Ogunquit still in a holding pattern, waiting to hear back from DoE, Susan Chamberlin, Portsmouth Herald

April 7

• Senate to vote today on bill Cost-sharing has no opposition, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Taking the battle out of consolidation, Editorial, Sun Journal
• Senate votes to enact LD 1932 (Roll Call)
• Rural Maine supports LD 1932 as enacted, urges Governor to sign bill
• Baldacci vetoes union bill, Mount Desert Islander
• Governor Vetoes LD 1932, An Act to Amend the Laws Regarding School Funding, Governor's press release
• Senate sustains Balacci's veto
• School consolidation bill veto sustained, Francis X. Quinn, Associated Press

April 8

• Baldacci vetos school bill, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Taxpayers urged to beware of school consolidation, Kate Clement, Charles Hebson, Press Herald
• School proposal changes vetoed, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• School Union Bill Dead After Governor's Veto, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Veto leaves MDI schools in limbo, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• R.I.P., LD 1932, Steve Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center

April 9

• Where are promised savings from school regionalization?, Heather Perry, Press Herald
• Consolidation wind, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• Veto sets stage for renewed battle over school consolidation law, Rich Hewitt, Bangor daily News
• LD 2314, The Governor's replacement to LD 1932
• Maine wrestles with school consolidation, Isaac Opper, Colby Echo
• [York] Schools await response, Allie Kinney, York Weekly
• Legislative wrap-up: Truth and consequences, George Smith, Kennebec JOurnal
• Nobleboro Citizens Face Second School Budget Validation, Mike Colbert, Lincoln County News
• House votes to repeal reorganization law [Roll Call]

April 10

• Consolidation foes should ditch poison pill, Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• Augusta to partner with Georgetown school, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• School consolidation revise awaiting action, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Maine House repeals school consolidation law, Mal Leary, Capitol News Service, Bangor Daily News
• Continuing Consolidation Chaos..., Steve Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center
• Local legislators vote to repeal school consolidation law, Stephen Betts, Courier-Gazette
• DoE Reorganization Update
• Consolidation Work Continues Despite Legislative Difficulties, Scott Sassone, WLBZ
• House lawmakers line up for school law repeal, AP, Boston Globe
• House approves proposal to repeal consolidation, Bar Harbor Times
• Falmouth, SAD 51 RPC: 'We need wind', Linda Maule, Forecaster
• Will the school consolidation law go up in flames?, politickerME.com
• MDI officials irate over missed vote, Earl Brechlin, Mount Desert Islander
• Hubbell at center of union debate, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
• Augusta board approves deal with Georgetown for superintendent, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• [Westport Island] Selectmen discuss governor's veto on school consolidation, Charlotte Boynton, Wiscasset Newspaper

April 11

• School union bill dies hard, Victoria Wallack and Earl Brechlin, Mount Desert Islander
• House votes to repeal consolidation, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• [Peru, Canton, Dixfield, Carthage] Selectmen briefed on regionalization plan, Mary Standard, Sun Journal
• Legislature's Direction on School Reorganization Entirely Unclear, MMA, Legislative Bulletin
• House approves proposal to repeal consolidation, Bar Harbor Times

April 13

• Shut schools feared New Portland and Embden worry their elementaries will be closed, Morning Sentinel
• Save money by cutting state education staff, Clayton McLaughlin, Morning Sentinel
• Education department doesn't help kids, Clayton Spinney, Kennebec Journal
• [View from New Hampshire] Education funding: Two plans, two approaches, Michael Mccord, Portsmouth Herald
• [View from New Hampshire] Education funding crossroads, Editorial, Portsmouth Herald

April 15

• [Searsport] SAD 56 Superintendent Mary Szwec sends memo warning district employees of likely staff cuts next year, Steve Fuller, Waldo Independent
• [Farmington] SAD 9 struggles with budget cuts; Weld School may close this fall or 2009, Don Waterhouse, Morning Sentinel
• [Farmington, Weld] School board mulls cuts, school closure, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• [Anson, Emden, New Portland] SAD 74 school closings avoided, Alan Crowell, Morning Sentinel
• Legislative session winds down, Rebekah Metzler, Sun Journal
• [Monmouth] Residents to get lowdown on school consolidation, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• [Oxford Hills] 16 school jobs cut, Duke Harrington, Norway Advertiser Democrat
• Schools feel state pain, Paul Beane, Bangor Daily News
• [Morrill] School closure impact weighed, Jane Andrews, Republican Journal
• [Eastport, Lubec] Schools to face tough choices with severe state funding cuts, Edward French, Quoddy Tides
• School consolidation reform possible after veto, Edward French, Quoddy Tides

April 16

• Time short for reforms to school consolidation law, Paul Carrier, Press Herald
• Governor Quashes School Union Bill; In Response, House Votes Outright Repeal, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• School bills are in limbo, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• LD 2323: "An Act To Remove Barriers to the Reorganization of School Administrative Units"
• Senate passes LD 2323 (roll call)
• Feuding Continues Over Maine Efforts to Merge Districts, Lesli A. Maxwell, Education Week

April 17

• High drama in Augusta, Skip Greenlaw, York County Coast Star
• House votes to repeal school consolidation law, John Hale, Capital Weekly
• New school bill advanced, AP
• Lawmakers Discuss Refinements To School System Consolidation, Rhonda Erskine, WLBZ
• Senate concurs and passes LD 2323 (roll call)
• House enacts LD 2323 (roll call)

April 18

• School plan wins passage, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• LD 2323 and the Play by Play, Skip Greenlaw
• LD 2323 and the Play by Play, Brian Hubbell
• Senate enacts LD 2323 22-12 (roll call)
• Senate OKs school consolidation changes, AP
• Update on Reorganization Legislation Enacted by the Legislature, DoE media update
• Lawmakers close out session, Francis X. Quinn, AP
• Lawmakers revise school consolidation law, press toward adjournment, Shir Haberman, Portsmouth Herald
• School Consolidation Law Doesn't Satisfy Critics, Rhonda Erskine, WCSH
• Governor Signs Bill that Makes Changes to Education Reform Law, Governor's press release

April 19

• [Salem] School consolidation complicating budget process, Ban Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• [China, Vassalboro, Winslow] School Union 52 may yet survive consolidation, Colin Hickey, Kennebec Journal
• Kittery won't be forced to merge schools, Shir Haberman, Portsmouth Herald
• Democrats surmount intramural squabbles, Francis X. Quinn, AP
• The 123rd Legislature, Editorial, Bangor Daily News

April 21

• LITCHFIELD School Union 44 losing chief to N.H., Betty Adams, Kennebec Journal

April 22

• Passage of law allows school consolidations to proceed, Stephen Betts, Courier-Gazette

April 23

• Kittery still may lose half of state school aid, Jason Claffey, Foster's Democrat
• School budgets face squeeze from cuts, votes, Editorial, Press Herald
• Lawmakers had session that was largely effective, Editorial, Morning Sentinel
• Senators Wrangle over School Consolidation Vote, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• [Washington] County Delegation Votes Against School Consolidation Law, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• New law is victory for MDI schools, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• So what ultimately happened with school consolidation?, Steve Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center
• Southwest Harbor selectmen want to explore school merger, Bar Harbor Times
• School Consolidation - The good, the bad, and the ugly, Senator Dennis Damon

April 24

• [View from South Dakota] South Dakota's rural schools grapple with change, The Economist
• Falmouth-SAD 51 panel to see cost-savings analysis, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• [Portland] Clerk: School budget referendum disenfranchises voters, Randy Billings, Forecaster

April 25

• Clerks foresee problems in budget balloting, Dieter Bradbury, Press Herald
• York school boss: New merger law unclear, Deborah McDermott, Portsmouth Herald
• School unions saved, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• [SW Harbor] Selectmen talk local school consolidation, Mark Good, Mount Desert Islander
• Legislative victory initiates more work for schools. Gail Marshall, Brian Hubbell, Paul Murphy, Mount Desert Islander
• School reform law viewed as changing little, Edward French, Quoddy Tides

April 28

• PUBLIC Law, Chapter 668
• [School Consolidation is a Political Mess] MEA renews vows to fight for more money and fewer administrators, Chris Galgay, Maine Education Association

April 29

• School choice must be preserved, Sandra Pyne and Janet Winchester, Bangor Daily News

April 30, 2008

• York schools await word on consolidation opt-out after new law passed, Allie Kinney, York Weekly
• Schools continue struggle with law, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• [Palermo, Windsor, Somerville, Chelsea, Whitefield, Wiscasset, Alna, Westport Island] A more perfect union?, Kennebec Journal
• [Rumford] Plans for consolidating school districts advance, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• Morrill votes to keep school open, Jane Andrews, Republican Journal
• [Belfast] SAD 34 braces for new budget process, Tanya Mitchell, waldo.villagesoup.com

May 1, 2008

• [Oakland] Cuts in store at Union 52, Messalonskee Five administrative positions on the block within next few years, according to plan, Joel Elliott, Kennebec Journal
• Feds OK use of SAT to measure achievement, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Schools see savings in online buys, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Orrington: RSU 15 committee discusses revised law, penalties, Bangor Daily News
• Eastport: New Union 104 leader faces budget dilemma, Diana Graettinger, Bangor Daily News
• School Consolidation Still Unacceptable, Skip Greenlaw, Ellsworth American
• [Kennebunk, Kennbunkport] Candidates vie for school board seats, Laura Dolce, Portsmouth Herald
• [View from cape Cod] Harwich And Chatham Agree To Examine School Collaboration, William F. Galvin, Cape Cod Chronicle
• [Sullivan] Flanders Bay Hears Again from Ellsworth On Consolidation Partnering, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• Stormy Seas Await School Budget Process, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• School Consolidation Tops Agenda in Hancock Elections, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• [Portland] Public largely quiet about school budget, Kate Bucklin, Forecaster
• [Cape Elizabeth] Board members oppose reduced budget increase, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• Falmouth-SAD 51 consolidation vote moved to November; expect startup costs of $500,000 per year, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• [View from New York] State Could Save $1 Billion a Year by Consolidating Services, Report Says, Nicholas Confessore, New York Times
• Open invitation from the MDI RPC, Brian Hubbell, MDI RPC

May 2

• Many school districts resuming merger talks, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Second vote may be charm in school budget approvals, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
• Unique situation, Susan A. Gendron, Mount Desert Islander

May 3

• [Salem] SAD 58 school budget decreases after loss of federal, state funding, Valerie Tucker, Morning Sentinel
• [Fairfield] SAD 49 jobs to be eliminated, Doug Harlow, Morning Sentinel
• Cornville parents watching school budget process closely, Alan Crowell, Morning Sentinel
• Liberating the Schoolhouse, Wellford Wilms, truthdig.com

May 4

• [Bingham] Small-town schools facing student number crunch Alan Crowell, Kennebec Journal
• School budget vote 'under the radar', Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Consolidation Conundrums Continue..., Stephen Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center
• Mount Desert Island community explores "balance education", Laurie Schreiber, Bar Harbor Times

May 5

• Crunch time coming for school merger decisions, Editorial, Press Herald
• Learning Results not well-thought out, Jim Perkins, Kennebec Journal
• Budget vote more than a ballot, Editorial, Sun Journal
• [Lewiston] State aid absorbs spending hike, Scott Taylor, Sun Journal
• [Greene, Leeds, Turner] SAD 52 eliminates jobs to meet budget needs, Tony Reaves, Sun Journal
• Funding formula the real threat to rural education, Dianne Tilton, Bangor Daily News
• Getting Restarted: Resources for RPCs and School Systems Working to Reorganize, Department of Education
• [View from Massachusetts (Reprised)] A little history, Barbara Anderson, Boston Globe

May 6

• [Farmingdale and Hallowell] Hall-Dale budget wins; turnout low, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Will Maine lose some rural schools?, Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• [Anson, North Anson, Solon, Embden, New Portland] SAD 74 budget in hands of voters, Alan Crowell, Morning Sentinel
• Winslow school budget ready for June 10 referendum, Craig Crosby, Morning Sentinel
• [View from New York] Trim layers of local governments, William A. Johnson, Jr., Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
• Alternative Organizational Structures, Department of Education
• School budgets head to polls, Victoria Wallack, keepmecurrent.com
• School budget baffles Northport, Megan Richardson, Republican Journal

May 7

• [Mechanic Falls, Minot, Poland] State allows town school system to stay, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal
• Double duty for Maine school districts, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Rare staff cuts on the table in Cape, Emily Devlin, keepmecurrent.com
• Wiscasset School Articles Vote Moved to May 17, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News

May 8

• Portland voters should support school budget, Editorial, Press Herald
• [Anson, North Anson, Solon, Embden, New Portland] SAD 74 voters OK budget by wide margin, Alan Crowell, Morning Sentinel
• [Livermore Falls] SAD 36 board to discuss returning to one bus run, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• School Budgets Now a Ballot Issue, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Kennebunk, Kennebunkport voters face two-step school budget vote, Laura Dolce, Portsmouth Herald
• York schools freed from consolidation (Wells-Ogunquit gets handed over to Kennebunk, Kennebunkport), Deborah MacDermott, Portsmouth Herald
• Ellsworth Reopens Consolidation Talks with Potential Partners, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• Schools in Turmoil, Editorial, Ellsworth American
• Commissioner Gendron schedules forums in Brunswick (5/19), Farmington (5/21), Ellsworth (5/22), and Presque Isle (5/27) to meet with Superintendents and RPC members, DoE letter
• [Portland] School budget now up to city voters, Kate Bucklin, Forecaster
• [Portland] Survey: Voters undecided ahead of school budget vote, Randy Billings, Forecaster
• Falmouth voters OK $25M school spending plan; some still oppose consolidation, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• Alternative consolidation plan proposed for Freeport-Pownal-Durham, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Wells] School district waiver request denied, Jim Kanak, York County Coast Star
• [Biddeford] Scores protest school budget cuts, Molly Lovell, Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach Courier
• Representative Bruce MacDonald of Boothbay announces candidacy for re-election, Boothbay Register
• Who's on first?, Paula Gibbs, Wiscasset Newspaper

May 9

• Reception chilly at RPC, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
• Open invitation from the MDI RPC, Brian Hubbell, MDI RPC
• School planners struggle with ever-moving target, Jill Goldthwait, Mount Desert Islander
• [Casco, Naples, Sebago, Bridgton] New process to decide SAD #61 budget, Julia Davis, keepmecurrent.com
• [Rumford, Dixfield, Buckfield, Hanover] School system name chosen, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• Camden, Rockport police consolidation talks beached, Holly S. Anderson, Knox County Times
• Is school choice being preserved as school districts consolidate? Not really., Stephen Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center
• Getting school plan right is 'one-shot deal', Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• Lubec weighs large tax hike, Edward French, Quoddy Tides
• Eastport faces $400,000 shortfall, Edward French, Quoddy Tides
• Summary of Non-budgetary Changes to School Reorganization Law, Richard Spencer, presentation to the 2008 Superintendents Annual School Law Workshop, (5/09)

May 10

• York schools are rejoicing, Jennifer Kennedy, Portsmouth Herald

May 11

• Table of proposed RSUs as of 3/28/2008, MDIschools.net (5/11/2008)

May 12

• Voters to get school budget Tuesday, Kelley Bouchard, Press Herald
• Where are the voters?, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [Livermore Falls, Livermore, Jay] Students to be bused in one trip, Donna M. Perry
• A better school budget, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• Special town meeting Thursday on Mount Desert school budget, Bar Harbor Times

May 13

• Dates, times of school budget votes vary, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• Pittsfield: SAD 53 voters pass budget, Sharon Kiley Mack, Bangor Daily News
• [Topsham] SAD 75, Brunswick schools to share food service director, Darcie Moore, Times Record
• East Machias Finalizes Budget for June 3 Town Meeting, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press

May 14

• [Portland, South Portland] Voters approve school budgets, Kelley Bouchard, Press Herald
• [Pittsfield, Detroit, Burnham] SAD 53 voters give approval to budget, Craig Crosby, Morning Sentinel
• Do school budgets really need two votes?, Editorial, Morning Sentinel
• York schools receive "OK" to nix consolidation, Allie Kinney, York Weekly
• Graphic on rural school enrollments misleading, Fred Brown, Kennebec Journal
• School petition drive to continue, Kennebec Journal
• Sheepscot Valley RPC Plugs Away At School Reorganization Plan, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• Wiscasset's Joining RSU Faces Cost-Share Issue, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Lisbon OK'd as stand-alone school district, Connie Footman, Sun Journal

May 15

• Petition to Repeal School Consolidation Law Moving Ahead, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• School budget votes did impact the bottom line, Editorial, Press Herald
• [Buckfield, Dixfield, Rumford] Three school districts may merge, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• Commissioner to discuss school reorganization, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• Lubec weighs large tax hike, Edward French, Quoddy Tides
• Eastport faces $400,000 shortfall, Edward French, Quoddy Tides
• State: Wells Ogunquit school district must consolidate: Encouraged to resume talks with SAD 71 and Arundel, Jim Kanak, York County Coast Star
• Ellsworth: School consolidation plans in limbo (as Union 96 reconsiders decision to join SAD 37), Eric Russell, Bangor Daily News
• Otis Gets an Education In State Education Politics, Stephen Fay, Ellsworth American
• Secret Voting on School Budgets, Editorial, Ellsworth American
• Bangor to send budget to voters June 10, Dawn Gagnon, Bangor Daily News
• [Portland] School budget passes by 2-to-1; turnout 'terrible', Randy Billings, Forecaster
• Slim majority approves South Portland school spending, Randy Billings, Forecaster
• Cape question: School budget too large or too small?, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• [Cape Elizabeth] School budget vote delays action on staff contracts, Linda Maule, Forecaster
• [Cumberland, North Yarmouth] Voters get 2 chances to weigh in on SAD 51 budget, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• [Too high or too low?] Cape residents protest tighter school budget, Kate Power, keepmecurrent.com
• [Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach] School budget cuts lead to tough choices, Kate Irish Collins, Sun Chronicle
• Votes Matter, Stephen Bowen, Ellsworth American
• [Sanford] No 'fix-up' here: Referendum causes headaches, Sanford-Springvale Register

May 16

• [Tremont] Wording slows budget passage, Mark Good, Mount Desert Islander
• [Bar Harbor] Consolidation is moving ahead, Robert Levin, Mount Desert Islander
• [Bethel] State tells SAD44 to study Rangeley as possible consolidation partner, Alison Aloisio, Bethel Citizen
• [Rockland, Thomaston, St. George, Cushing, Owls Head] Cost-sharing formula stymies local school consolidation, Stephen Betts, Courier-Gazette
• East Machias Finalizes Budget for June 3 Town Meeting, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• [Etna and Dixmont] Why School Choice?, Randall Fairman, schoolchoice.gather.com

May 19

• Reorganization and the Threat to Maine's Tradition of School Choice, Stephen Bowen, The Maine View, Maine Heritage Policy Center

May 20

• [Oxford] SADs 39, 17 set to discuss alternative organization structure, Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• [Washington County] GOP House Seat Candidates David Burns, Tony Maker Air Views in Forum, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• [Kennebunk, Kennebunkport] Consolidation issues drive out MSAD 71 superintendent, Laura Dolce, York County Coast Star
• Hancock Voters Approve New School Budget, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• [At $11 per vote] Otis Voters Approve New School Budget, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• Consolidation should not be forgotten [More evidence that York County may exist in a parallel universe], Editorial, Journal Tribune

May 21

• [Readfield, Mount Vernon, Manchester, Wayne] Maranacook budget OK'd, Kennebec Journal
• Lisbon voters approve school budget, Connie Footman, Sun Journal
• Not on ballot yet, but petitions seek voter support, Victoria Wallack, keepmecurrent.com
• [Whitefield, Chelsea, Windsor, Somerville, Palermo, Wiscasset, Alna, Westport Island] Sheepscot Valley RPC Grapples With Contracts, Cost Sharing, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• [Cumberland, North Yarmouth] SAD 51 voters approve $28M school budget, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• [Freeport, Durham, Pownal] Questions accompany alternative consolidation plan, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Farmington] School consolidation law changes met with skepticism, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

May 22

• [Mechanic Falls] Absentee voters OK school budget, Win Durgan, Sun Journal
• So, which founding principle is it?, Editorial, Sun Journal
• Bucksport Consolidation Partners Resume Talks, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• [Franklin] The Choppy Seas of Consolidation, Bruce Carter, Ellsworth American
• Listen up, voters: new way to approve school budgets begins now, Lynda Clancy, Knox County Times
• [Freeport] Questions accompany alternative consolidation plan, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Southwest Harbor board goes back to the drawing board, Nan Lincoln, Bar Harbor Times
• Disaster Looming for Lamoine Taxpayers, Richard A. Davis, Ellsworth American

May 23

• [Tremont, Southwest Harbor] Educators exploring school options, Mark Good, Mount Desert Islander
• Joining forces, Editorial, Mount Desert Islander
• [Oxford] SADs 17, 39 talks (to form AOS) progress, Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• [Rockland] State ed director to meet with SAD 5/50 on merger, Stephen Betts, Courier-Gazette
• School budgets head to voters on June ballot, Quoddy Times

May 24

• Loss of school choice a major concern, Stephen Bowen, Bangor Daily News

May 27

• [Dresden, Farmingdale, Hallowell, Monmouth, Richmond] Regional school unit set to meet, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Machias Area School Planners to File Alternate Schools Plan, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• Consolidation repeal petition unaffected by law changes, Bar Harbor Times
• [Madison] SAD 53, SAD 59: Consolidation hearing set for Wednesday, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel

May 28

• [Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor CSD, Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Edgecomb, Great Salt Bay CSD, Jefferson, Newcastle, Nobleboro, South Bristol, Southport] School Unions Face Consolidation Quandry, , Lincoln County News
• Acton school budget fails, Ann Fisher, Sun Chronicle
• Wiscasset voters reject school spending plan again, Seth Koenig, Times Record
• Wiscasset Voters Reject $9.5 Million For Schools, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• [Damariscotta, Newcastle, Bremen] GSB School Budget Passes by Nearly Two-Thirds Margin, Emily Elliott, Lincoln County News
• AOS in the County, Nancy Hudak, The County Educator
• Notes from 5/27 meeting in Presque Isle with Commissioner Gendron

May 29

• [Farmington] SAD 9: Low turnout; budget OK'd, Don Waterhouse, Morning Sentinel
• [Kennebunk, Kennebunkport] MSAD 71 faces wealth of challenges in coming year, Laura Dolce, York County Coast Star
• Frenchville: Commissioner outlines options for St. John Valley consolidation, Julia Bayly, Bangor Daily News
• Education Commissioner Fields Questions on Consolidation Law, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• Lamoine Voters Reject School Budget, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• Summary of Non-budgetary Changes to School Reorganization Law, Richard Spencer, presentation to the 2008 Superintendents Annual School Law Workshop, (5/09)
• [South Portland] Board blames economy for school budget squeaker, Linda Hersey, keepmecurrent.com
• [Thomaston] Voters pass SAD 50 budget at regional meeting, Emily Sapienza, Knox County Times

May 30

• [Gardiner] SAD 11 Brass: Budgeting flawed, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• [View from Massachusetts] Merging schools, diverging views, Tania deLuzuriaga, Boston Globe
• [Tremont, Southwest Harbor] Joint school talks held, Mark Good, Mount Desert Islander

May 31, 2008

• Tremont to explore link with Pemetic, Laurie Schreiber, Bar Harbor Times
• Update on Maine School Reorganization – Will It Actually Happen?, Jerry White, American Association of School Administrators

June 2, 2008

• DoE announces regional focus groups
• Comparison between RSU and AOS (for presentation to North Central Aroostook RPC)
• School-choice tradition fading, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Reorganization timeline chart, Nancy Hudak

June 3

• Exclusive high school deals can be worthwhile, Editorial, Press Herald
• Make the best of bad school deal, Ron Bancroft, Press Herald
• Waterville: School plan rejected, Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel
• Bar Harbor residents to consider $15M budget, Bill Trotter, bangor Daily News
• Monmouth: 1 vote slashes school budget by $300,000, Craig Crosby, Kennebec Journal
• Perceptions and Process: Early Findings from a Study of School District Consolidation in Maine, J. Fairman et al, UMaine Center for Research and Evaluation
• A Case for Cooperation II: How School Reform Can Work for Maine Students, Doug Rooks, Maine Children's Alliance,
• Consolidation report: Education should take precedence, Kennebec Journal
• [Jay] Consolidation law to blame for low voter turnout, Rob Taylor, Daily Bulldog

June 4

• Report: School plan out of focus, Matthew Stone, Morning Sentinel
• Report argues for incentives in struggle over school reform, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• 'Two Nations' pact a boon for students, Bangor Daily News
• Pittsfield: Home-schooling parent raises question, Sharon Kiley Mack, Bangor Daily News
• [Anson, Solon, Embden, New Portland, Bingham, Moscow] SAD 74 directors to discuss 1-year merger with SAD 13, Doug Harlow, Morning Sentinel
• What Will Happen to School Choice with RSUs?, Victoria Wallack, Lincoln County News
• Consolidation Discussion in Steuben Clouded in Uncertainty, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• Estimated penalties for non-conforming school administrative units, DoE
• Timelines for RSU referendum votes, DoE
• DoE reorganization planning page

June 5

• [Richmond] Schools face key votes on budget, regionalization, Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal
• School Budget Validation Referendum Is Tuesday, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• [Sanford] Turcotte says it's time for a change, Ellen W. Todd, Sanford News
• Bucksport Supt. Has Job Offer, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• Lamoine School Committee Addresses Rejected Budget, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• [Lamoine] Group Fails to Live Up to Its Name, Douglas A. Stewart, Ellsworth American
• Disaster Looming for Lamoine Taxpayers, Richard A. Davis, Ellsworth American
• Consolidation Planning Resumes in Blue Hill, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• [Sullivan] Union 96 and Ellsworth Schools Consider Link-up, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworrth American
• [Frenchville, St. John Valley] Valley districts to try schools alternative, Julia Bayly, Bangor Daily News
• Kittery could lose half of its state education aid, Shir Haberman, York Weekly
• Invitation to 6/24 Maine Small Schools Coalition meeting on EPS, MSSC
• Richmond, Dresden, Hallowell, Farmingdale, Monmouth to vote on reorganization, John Hale, Capital Weekly
• [Wiscasset] Tell It To George, Wiscasset Newspaper

June 6

• Schools need consolidation carrot, not stick, Editorial, Morning Sentinel
• School Spending Votes, Editorial, Bangor Daily News

June 8

• [Pittsfield and Madison] Huge Decision for SAD 53, 59, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• [View from upstate New York] Report may lead to forced school mergers, S. West & S. Alexander, Observer

June 9

• Wiscasset voters OK budget - again, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• Reforming Teacher Pay in Maine, Stephen Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center

June 10

• Closing of Benedicta school bittersweet for students, staff, Jen Lynds, Bangor Daily News
• Reorganization Update, DoE
• Maine Municipal Association's Compilation of Consolidation Law, MMA (6/10/2008)
• [Starks, Pittsfield, Madison] Storm slows merger tallies, Joel Elliott, Morning Sentinel
• Cape Elizabeth school budget rejected, Press Herald

June 11

• [Dresden, Farmingdale, Hallowell, Monmouth, Richmond] School districts merger leading Plan unites schools in 5 communities, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• China talks with SAD 47, Union 52, Mary Grow, Kennebec Journal
• Monmouth school budget rejected, Sun Journal
• Sabattus voters turn down school budget, Sun Journal
• Education department talks in double-speak, Donald J. Reiter, Morning Sentinel
• [Dresden, Farmingdale, Hallowell, Monmouth, Richmond] 5 communities vote to merge school districts, John Hale, Capital Weekly
• [Dresden, Richmond, Monmouth, Famingdale, Hallowell] The KIDS RSU has been approved by voters, KIDS RSU

June 12

• Southwest Harbor board balks at sharing school's legal costs, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• Consolidation Law Not Affecting All Areas as Dramatically, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Hancock County Voters Validate School Budgets, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• [Lamoine] Repeal Effort Is Still Ongoing, Nancy T. Sargent, Ellsworth American
• MADISON: Consolidation hits snag, Joel Elliott, Morning Sentinel
• School choice proven to benefit children, Judith D. Jones, Press Herald
• [Lamoine] Budget Goes Back to Lamoine School Board for More Work, Tom Walsh, Ellsworth American
• Lubec voters nix school budget, Diana Graettinger, Bangor Daily News
• Cape Elizabeth school budget vote seen as call for more money, Beth Quimby, Press Herald
• Cape Elizabeth says 'No, too low' on school budget, Sarah Trent, Forecaster
• [Freeport, Durham, Pownal] RPC agrees on school cost-sharing formula, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Consolidation updates expected Friday, Kennebec Journal

June 13

• Trenton school seeks MDI tie, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
• State deadline today gives a consolidation report card, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Education Department praises budget votes, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Lubec budget fails in referendum vote, Chessie Johnson, Quoddy Tides

June 14

• Lamoine: Town reworking school budget, Bill Trotter, Bangor Daily News
• [Mechanic Falls, Minot, Poland] Consolidation committee to be reactivated, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal

June 15

Most school budgets survive validation vote, Beth Quimby, Sunday Telegram

• Alternative school plan being submitted for MDI, Bar Harbor Times

June 16

• A lobbyist's work is never done, Kate Irish Collins, Sun Chronicle

June 17

• School budget votes working as intended, Editorial, Press Herald
• State education officials celebrating early consolidation approval, Kennebec Journal
• [Fayette, Manchester, Mount Vernon, Readfield, Wayne, Winthrop] After hiatus, consolidation planners meet tonight, Kennebec Journal
• School District Consolidation: Impact and Opportunity for Trenton Presentation from Trenton public hearing

June 18

• Education Related Legislation Enacted and Committee Directives Requiring Report Backs by the 123rd Maine Legislature, DoE
• What's Next for School Funding Reform?, Douglas Rooks, Maine Center for Economic Policy
• [Madison, Anson, Bingham] SAD 59 Open to merger talks, Doug Harlow, Morning Sentinel
• Wiscasset Voters Oppose School Budget Again, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• School Consolidation Law Prompts Opposition and Distrust Amid Confusion, John Maguire, Lincoln County News
• Commissioner, Planning Committee Celebrate First Voter-Approved Regional School Unit, DoE press release
• [Hallowell] State lauds early consolidated school district, Kennebec Journal
• [Hallowell, Farmingdale, Dresden, Richmond, Monmouth] Five Towns Create One Regional School Unit, WCSH
• Voters' second rejection of Wiscasset school budget leaves officials guessing, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• Lubec budget fails in referendum vote, Chessie Johnson, Quoddy Tides
• Acton school budget fails for second time, Sam Clarke, keepmecurrent.com

June 19

• [Farmington] Reorganization on Nov. 4 ballot, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [Belfast, Searsport, Northport, Stockton Springs, Belmont, Frankfort, Morrill, Searsmont, Swanville] Board OKs regional school plan, Jane Andrews, Republican Journal
• [Franklin, Gouldsboro, Sorrento, Steuben, Sullivan, Winter Harbor] Ellsworth, Union 96 to Finalize Reorganization Plans June, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• Bucksport Asked to Help Fund School Consolidation Law Repeal, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• New numbers show consolidation progress, Kennebec Journal
• [Freeport, Pownal, Durham] RPC agrees to follow state-mandated plan, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Cape School Board tries again with budget, Meggan Clark, keepmecurrent.com

June 20

• [Southwest Harbor, Tremont] Joint school talks go forward, Mark Good, Mount Desert Islander
• State sees progress in consolidation planning, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Fourteen More School Plans Approved: more plans in the works, DoE press release
• Lamoine Struggles with School Budget, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American

June 21

• 14 more districts make consolidation grade, Kennebec Journal
• York's schools won't consolidate: Following review, state OKs district autonomy, Deborah McDermott, York Weekly

June 23

• [Burnham, Detroit, Pittsfield, Athens, Madison, Starks] SAD 53 eyes options after consolidation vote, Sharon Kiley Mack, Bangor Daily News
• MDI Reorganization Planning Committee to look at Trenton joining local school district, Bar Harbor Times

June 24

• School union plans OK'd, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News

June 25

• [Mechanic Falls, Minot, Poland] School merger panel gets to work
• [Belfast] SAD 34 OKs consolidation plan, Jane Andrews, Republican Journal
• [Farmington] Major MSAD 9 board turnover; school consolidation woes, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• School mergers: A slow march, with deadlines looming, Victoria Wallack, keepmecurrent.com
• Update on Maine School Reorganization – Will It Actually Happen?, Jerry White, American Association of School Administrators
• State says York schools don't have to consolidate, Allie Kinney, York Weekly
• [Franklin, Gouldsboro, Sorrento, Steuben, Sullivan, Winter Harbor] Flanders Bay School Board Votes to Partner with Ellsworth, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• Whitefield Splits in School Budget Rejection, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News

June 26

• [Franklin, Gouldsboro, Sorrento, Steuben, Sullivan and Winter Harbor] Union 96 Votes to Partner With Ellsworth, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• Mount Vernon Official: Town losing power to save school, Beth Evans, Kennebec Journal
• [Farmington] SAD 9 directors rap consolidation process, Don Waterhouse, Morning Sentinel
• [Franklin, Gouldsboro, Sorrento, Steuben, Sullivan, Winter Harbor.] Ellsworth, Flanders Bay OK school partnership, Michael Dabrieo, Bangor Daily News
• RSU 1 goes into effect July 1, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• Falmouth looks at alternative to SAD 51 merger, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• [Wiscasset] Delay school vote, chairman urges, Paula Gibbs, Wiscasset Newspaper
• [Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, Southport, Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Newcastle, South Bristol, Jefferson] Regional consolidation team chooses more palatable structure, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register

June 27

• [Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Byron, Mexico, Roxbury, Rumford (but not Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner)] SADs 21, 43 ready to submit merger plan, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Old Town] Regional high school idea revisited, Aimee Dolloff, Bangor Daily News
• New school districts are slow in coming, Victoria Wallack, Mount Desert Islander
• Trenton favors MDI district, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
• Pembroke board trims budget, cuts staff, Gail Menzel, Quoddy Tides

June 30, 2008

• [Farmingdale, Hallowell] Schools combine key jobs, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Consolidation repeal effort progressing, Susan Cover, Kennebec Journal

July 1, 2008

• Monmouth school budget rejected again, Craig Crosby, Morning Sentinel
• Rangeley's school union in tough spot, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• Law Court rules against Swans Island school subsidy policy, Bill Trotter, Bangor Daily News
• The new math, Tony Maker, Bangor Daily News

July 2

• Kittery officials promised no cuts to school aid, Shir Haberman, Portsmouth Herald
• [Old Town, Orono] School smarts, Editorial, bangor Daily News
• [Swan's Island] Court rejects Christian school tuition subsidy, Bill Trotter, Bangor Daily News
• Wiscasset Board Cuts $253,040 for Schools, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Petitioners Closing in on Goal Seeking Repeal of School Consolidation Law, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press

July 3

• WINDSOR: Budget's second chance, Mechele Cooper, Kennebec Journal
• Lamoine to Vote Again July 9 on School Budget, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• Blue Hill Makes Second Donation To Consolidation Law Repeal Effort, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• Bucksport Not to Fund Repeal Effort, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• [Franklin, Gouldsboro, Sorrento, Steuben, Sullivan, Winter Harbor, Hancock, Lamoine, Otis, Mariaville, Eastbrook, Waltham] Unions 92, 96 and Ellsworth to Meet, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• [Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, Southport, Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Newcastle, South Bristol, Jefferson] Regional consolidation team chooses more palatable structure, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register
• [Freeport, Durham, Pownal] RPC approves Freeport school consolidation, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Falmouth, North Yarmouth, Cumberland] Gendron says no to alternative, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster

July 4

• GRAY: Standing alone, Marilyn Keating-Porcaro, keepmecurrent.com
• Raymond school budget gets a second chance Monday, Ben Bragdon, keepmecurrent.com

July 7

• [Rockland, Thomaston] Good news for SAD 5 on consolidation cost shift, Emily Sapienza, Courier-Gazette
• Freeport weighs school merger, Rachel Ganong, Times Record

July 9

• Regional high schools get a look, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• More [alternative] school reorganization plans OKd, Press Herald
• Whitefield School Board, Teachers Hash Out New Budget Numbers, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• [Belgrade, Oakland, Sidney, China, Vassalboro, Winslow] Consolidation dance renews, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• Freeport School Committee pondering next move, Deirdre Fleming, Press Herald
• Letter from 16 105 of your neighbors, Freeport Families for Education (6/30)
• Freeport shuns school merger plan, Rachel Ganong, Times Record

July 10

• [Freeport] School merger plan hits snag, Dierdre Fleming, Press Herald
• One More Time: Lamoine School Budget Validation Vote Is July 15, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• Freeport board puts consolidation on hold, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Falmouth, Cumberland, North Yarmouth] Officials: RPC must sell plan to public, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• [Falmouth] 'Lipstick on a pig', Eydie Pryzant, Forecaster
• Dave Trahan collecting signatures to repeal school consolidation, Nick Adolphsen, Wiscasset Newspaper
• District Consolidation and the Threat to School Choice: 15 Reorganization Plans to Watch, Stephen Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center

July 11

• Freeport defeat of merger surprises partner districts, Anne Gleason, Press Herald
• [Readfield, Fayette, Winthrop, Maranacook] Schools merger will need do-over, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Trenton favors island district, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
• [Monmouth] A lose-lose proposition, Jim Grandahl, Sun Journal
• [Mechanic Falls, Minot, and Poland] School panel eyeing Nov. 4 vote, AOS, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal
• [Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner, Harrison, Hebron, Norway, Otisfield, Oxford, Paris, Waterford, West Paris] SADs 39, 17 consider AOS, Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• [Belfast, Searsport, Belmont, Morrill, Northport, Searsmont, Swanville, Frankfort, Stockton Springs] Commissioner approves SADs 34, 56 reorganization plan, Beth Staples, Republican Journal

July 13

• More time won't help Freeport consolidate schools, Editorial, Sunday Telegram

July 14

• Lubec voters again say no to school budget, Diana Graettinger, Bangor Daily News

July 15

• [Sebec, Dover-Foxcroft, Monson, Charleston, Greenville, Beaver Cove, Bowerbank, Kingsbury Plantation, Lakeview Plantation, Shirley] propose AOS, Diana Bowley, Bangor Daily News
• [Lee, Springfield, Webster Plt, Winn, Burlington, Edinburg, Enfield, Howland, Lowell, Maxfield, Passadumkeag, Chester, Lincoln, Mattawamkeag, Carroll Plt., Drew Plt., Lakeville, Macwahoc Plt., Reed Plt., East Millinocket, Medway, Woodville] Schools renew efforts to merge, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• New Sweden school reorganization page
• [MDI] Union 98 curriculum director of the year, Bangor Daily News
• Freeport mulls its merger concerns, Rachel Ganong, Times Record

July 16

• Area Candidates Air Views at Machias Forum: School Law, Taxes, Economic Issues Among Topics, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• Weld told 'no divorce' from SAD 9, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• Lamoine Nixes School Budget, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American

July 17

• Lamoine: Voters again nix school budget, Bangor Daily News
• Holden: SAD 63 towns consider ways to retain properties, Nok-Noi Ricker, Bangor Daily News
• [Falmouth] School Board to send consolidation plan to voters; mulls endorsement, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• Freeport: Consolidation plan, not partners, creates problems, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Cape Elizabeth to try again, this time with $19.9M school budget, Meggan Clark, keepmecurrent.com
• [Woolwich, RSU 1] School consolidation, fuel co-op on selectmen's agenda, Charlotte Boynton, Wiscasset Newspaper
• [Old Town, Orono] School Regionalization, City of Old Town

July 18

• [Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls] School Committee dusts off RPC, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• Reorganization Update, Department of Education
• Warren taxes to rise, Tiffany Strong, Courier-Gazette

July 21

• Districts weigh alternative routes, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• District Consolidation and the Threat to School Choice: 15 Reorganization Plans to Watch, Stephen Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center

July 22

• [Harrison, Hebron, Norway, Otisfield, Oxford, Paris, Waterford, West Paris, Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner] SADs 17, 39 back to merger talks, Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• Waterville: School still seeks partner, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• [Beaver Cove, Greenville, Kingsbury Plt, Shirley, Willimantic, Charleston, Dover-Foxcroft, Monson, Sebec, Atkinson, Brownville, Lagrange, Milo] Gendron fields questions on reorganization, Diana Bowley, Bangor Daily News

July 23

• Sabattus voters reject school budget again, Mark LaFlamme, Sun Journal
• Cape Elizabeth voters reject school budget, Trevor Maxwell, Press Herald
• Wiscasset Approves School Budget With Third Town Vote, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• Wiscasset approves beleaguered budget items, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• School consolidation subcommittee reviews plan before August deadline, Elizabeth Deprey, St. John Valley Times

July 24

• Old Town: Board favors regional high school plan, Aimee Dolloff, Bangor Daily News
• [Dresden, Farmingdale, Hallowell, Monmouth, Richmond] 5-town district gets down to work, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [Monmouth] Budget rejected, Craig Crosby, Kennebec Journal
• Wells-Ogunquit school district in bid to remain independent, Jim Kanak, York County Coast Star
• Northern Penobscot County eyes school plan, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• The Devil’s in the Details: Ellsworth, Partners Firm Up Plan for New School Unit, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• Aurora: CSD 8 asks residents to help on RSU decision, Nok-Noi Ricker, Bangor Daily News
• Bucksport Area RSU Planners Discuss Cost Sharing and Future, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• [Monmouth] Town again rejects budget, Mark LaFlamme, Sun Journal
• Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Editorial, Ellsworth American
• Maine's math, reading scores rise, Walter Griffin, Bangoir Daily News
• [Rockland, South Thomaston, Owls Head, Cushing, Saint George, Thomaston] One year till consolidation, Erin Rhoda, Courier-Gazette
• [Falmouth] School consolidation costs more, Sheila Fay, Forecaster
• [Cape Elizabeth] School budget 'too high' in 2nd vote, Sarah Trent, Forecaster
• 'Symbolic' consolidation plan ignores Freeport, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Mount Desert] Town antes up for law repeal, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
• One more time: Cape school budget fails again, Nate Jones, South Portland / Cape Elizabeth Sentry
• [Lamoine] A Town Divided, Desiree Sirois, Ellsworth American

July 25

• Freeport rethinks school consolidation, Dennis Hoey, Press Herald
• A timeout on school budget votes, Editorial, Sun Journal
• Hearing on Weld school closing nears, Ann Bryant, Sun Journal
• Freeport, Durham, Pownal discuss next steps in school merger, Caitlin Elsaesser, Times Record
• [Brewer, Dedham, Orrington, Clifton, Eddington, Holden] RSU 15 Panel Urges Alternative Structure, Nok-Noi Ricker, Bangor Daily News

July 26

• [Fayette, Winthrop, Manchester, Mount Vernon, Readfield, Wayne] Brass tacks on alternative school district, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Fort Kent: Harvest break extended for some pupils, Julia Bayly, Bangor Daily News
• Talks with Old Town rejected by Orono school committee, Aimee Dolloff, Bangor Daily News

July 27

• [A view from New York] Officials Examine School Options, S. Alexander Gerould, Chautauqua County Post-Journal
• [Monmouth, Sabattus] Two towns, two budget struggles, Craig Crosby, Kennebec Journal
• [Harrison, Hebron, Norway, Otisfield, Oxford, Paris, Waterford, West Paris, Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner] SAD 17, 39 school merger a long shot, Duke Harrington, Norway Advertiser Democrat

July 28

• [Winslow, Vassalboro, China, Belgrade, Oakland, Sidney] Panel OKs regional school unit, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• It's time to make school mergers work, Editorial, Press Herald

July 29

• SAD 9 debates closing Weld School, Don Waterhouse, Kennebec Journal
• School merger plan advances in Freeport, 5-2, Deirdre Fleming, Press Herald
• Windsor school budget passes, Kennebec Journal
• Freeport board executes about-face on consolidation, Rachel Ganong, Times Record
• [Weld] A big decision for a small school, Bobbie Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

July 30

• School consolidation subcommittee reviews plan before August deadline, Elizabeth Deprey, St. John Valley Times
• [Wiscasset, Palermo, Alna, Chelsea, Somerville, Whitefield, Windsor, Westport Island] Sheepscot Valley RSU Plan Fledged And Ready To Fly, Lucy Martin, Lincoln County News

July 31, 2008

• [Windham, Raymond] School consolidation nears, answers emerge, Dawn De Busk, Windham Independent
• [MDI] Notice of public forum on reorganization plan, MDI RPC
• [Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel] School plans on track for deadline, Portsmouth Herald
• [Litchfield, Sabattus, Wales] School reorganization hearing attracts few, Betty Adams. mainetoday.com
• [Cape Elizabeth] School Board hopes for September budget vote, Sarah Trent, Forecaster
• Board affirms consolidation for Freeport, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Vote aftermath: Cape needs third school budget, Meggan Clark, keepmecurrent.com

August 1, 2008

• New Sweden and Regional School Unit, New Sweden RPC members
• [MDI] School consolidation forum set, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
• Keep eyes on the prize in consolidation, Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• District 44 to vote on school reorganization in Litchfield, Sabattus and Wales, Betty Adams, Kennebec Journal
• MONMOUTH: $120,000 cut sought to pass school budget, Craig Crosby, Kennebec Journal
• [View from New Hampshire] New superintendent just one of many SAU 41 changes, Steve Jusseaume, Broadcaster
• [Arundel, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport] Shared costs, benefits focus of RSU debate, Emma Bouthillette, Kennebunk/ Kennebunkport Post

August 2

• Key school consolidation votes on tap this week in Winslow, China, SAD 47, Colin Hickey, Kennebec Journal
• China: Key vote due on consolidation, Mary Grow, Kennebec Journal
• [Poland, Minot, Mechanic Falls] Union 29 towns talking finances for consolidation, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal

August 5

• Winslow: Regional plan for schools gets rejected, Joel Elliott, Morning Sentinel
• [Millinocket, East Millinocket, Medway, Woodville] Towns to consider Alternative Organizational Structure: Katahdin Region towns released from RSU 17 hook, R. David White, Katahdin Press

August 6

• [Winslow, China, Vassalboro, Belgrade, Oakland, Rome, Sidney] Consolidation conundrum for 7 communities, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• [Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls] Talks resume on school merger, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [Sabattus] Satisfy their wants, Bill Larkin, Sun Journal
• Whitefield's Compromise School Budget Persuades Small Turnout, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• MDI Regional School System Interlocal Agreement
• MDI Regional School System Reorganization Plan

August 7

• [Arundel, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport] RSU 57 cost sharing option still being mulled-over by local officials, Steve Bodnar, York County Coast Star
• China, SAD 47 see accord on consolidation, Kennebec Journal
• WINTHROP Town in limbo on regional school unit, Kennebec Journal
• [Franklin, Gouldsboro, Sorrento, Steuben, Sullivan, Winter Harbor, Ellsworth, Hancock, Lamoine, Mariaville, Otis] Flanders Bay Votes to Accept Union 92 Into Consolidated School Unit, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American

August 8

• Litchfield, Sabattus, Wales prepare to weigh in on consolidation, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Bingham on Collaborative Governance, Legal Theory Blog

August 9

• Mount Vernon reviews the current status of the school consolidation process, Beth Evans, Kennebec Journal

August 10

• When voters control the public funds, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• Vermont View: Tax system is legalized plunder, Peter Webster, Barre/Montpelier Times Argus
• [Limestone, Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Caswell, New Sweden, Stockholm, Westmanland, Woodland] DRAFT Plan for RPC Meeting, New Sweden, Maine: School Reorganization, 2008-09

August 11

• Voters to decide fate of Weld Elementary, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• Many still undecided about Weld school vote, Don Waterhouse, Morning Sentinel
• Windham, Raymond consider school district plan, Kelley Bouchard, Press Herald
• Update on School Reorganization, Jeffrey Austin and Kate Dufour, MMA, Maine Townsman
• [Cushing, Thomaston, St. George, Rockland, South Thomaston, Owls Head] School boards to vote on consolidation plan, Erin Rhoda, Courier-Gazette

August 12

• Katahdin schools to explore consolidation, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• Cape school budget back to voters Sept. 2, Meggan Clark, keepmecurrent.com
• Wiscasset approves school merger plan despite objections, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• Litchfield, Sabattus, Wales school vote passes, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Weld majority says close the school, Bobbie Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• [Millinocket, East Millinocket, Medway, Woodville] Alternative Organization Reorganization Workshop Scheduled
• [Medway] Public needs to be informed about AOS, says chairman, R. David White, Katahdin Press

August 13

• [Litchfield, Sabattus, Wales] Consolidation plan approved, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [Kittery] Efforts underway to hire joint School Committee-town business manager, Shir Haberman, Portsmouth Herald
• [Wiscasset, Alna, Westport Island, Whitefield, Windsor, Chelsea, Palermo, Somerville] Towns in regional school pact, Mechele Cooper, Morning Sentinel
• Voters opt to close Weld Elementary, Betty Jesperson, Morning Sentinel
• Winslow: State wants school board to 'submit', Joel Elliott, Morning Sentinel
• Wiscasset Board Agrees to Send RSU Plan to State, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• [Sabattus] New vote ready for school budget, Craig Crosby, Kennebec Journal

August 14

• [Windham, Raymond] School choice plays role in districts' merger plan, Kelley Bouchard, Press Herald
• Sabattus voters to try new budget, Craig Crosby, Kennebec Journal
• Dyer Brook: 3rd budget hearing set for CSD 9, Jen Lynds, Bangor Daily News
• [Kennebunk] Selectmen recommend cost-sharing option, Steve Bodnar, York County Coast Star
• Round 3: Cape [Elizabeth] school budget public hearing, referendum set, Sarah Trent, Forecaster
• School Choice Threatened by Consolidation?, Ike Morgan, SVWeekly.com

August 15

• MONMOUTH: School budget gets OK at hearing, Craig Crosby, Kennebec Journal
• Monmouth to vote for fourth time on school budget plan, Max Mogensen, Sun Journal
• Sabattus school budget steps toward third vote, Max Mogensen, Sun Journal
• [Mechanic Falls, Minot, Poland] Union 29 merger plan endorsed, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal
• [Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Trenton, Southwest Harbor] Reorganization plan is approved, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
• [Cushing, Thomaston, St. George, Rockland, South Thomaston, Owls Head] SAD 5, 50 boards approve consolidation plan, Erin Rhoda and Shlomit Auciello, Courier-Gazette

August 16

• [Madison, Athens] Reorganization and science curriculum on SAD 59 agenda, Doug Harlow, Morning Sentinel

August 17

• N.H., Maine schools head in different directions, Matthew Stone, Morning Sentinel
• [Poland, Minot, Mechanic Falls] Towns unveil plan for school consolidation, Daniel Hartill, Sun Journal

August 18

• Waterville to explore alternative school plan with Winslow, Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel

August 19

• Waterville: Alternative school consolidation plan presented, Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel
• [Appleton, Camden, Hope, Lincolnville, Rockport] Five towns pick through school reorganization plan, consider costs, Lynda Clancy, Camden Herald
• Kittery told to consolidate with Wells-Ogunquit school district, Shir Haberman, Portsmouth Herald

August 20

• [Vassalboro, Waterville, China, Winslow] School board supports alternative merger, Joel Elliott, Kennebec Journal
• [Fayette, Winthrop, Manchester, Mount Vernon, Readfield, Wayne] Super merger meeting Thursday, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Lamoine Voters Validate School Budget, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• Sabattus finally has school plan, Craig Crosby, Kennebec Journal
• Third time's the charm for Sabattus school budget, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal

August 21

• Lamoine school budget passed by residents after six attempts, Bill Trotter, Bangor Daily News
• Orland Hangs On to School Choice, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• State pushes Kittery to join with Wells school district, Amie Plummer, Foster's Democrat
• [Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel] RSU Planning Committee approves cost-sharing option, Steve Bodnar, York Weekly
• Round 3: Cape school budget public hearing, referendum set, Sarah Trent, Forecaster

August 22

• [Rier reports to Appropriations] Half of Maine students in consolidated districts, Susan M. Cover, Kennebec Journal
• Summary of status of reorganization plans, Jim Rier, 8/21 DoE presentation to Appropriations Committee
• [Raymond, Windham] Consolidation a matter of choice, Ben Bragdon, Lakes Region Weekly
• [Southwest Harbor, Tremont] School issue on hold, Mark Good, Mount Desert Islander
• [Winthrop, Fayette, Manchester, Wayne, Mount Vernon and Readfield] 5 go with alternative, Craig Crosby and Betty Adams, Kennebec Journal
• Where Next? School District Reorganization in Maine One Year Later, Gordon Donaldson, University of Maine
• Glass half full time at Maine Dept. of Education, Stephen Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center

August 23

• Maine sounds threatening with its dictum to consolidate school districts, Editorial, Foster's Democrat
• Summary of status of reorganization plans, Jim Rier, DoE presentation to Appropriations Committee (8/21)
• [Mechanic Falls, Minot, Poland] Union 29 reorganization plan backed by town committees, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal

August 24

• [View from Iowa] Student shortage may ignite a flurry of mergers, Staci Hupp, DesMoines Register

August 26

• State: Wells and Kittery schools should consider consolidation, Jim Kanak, Portsmouth Herald
• Bethel talks to Rangeley, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal

August 27

• [Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls] Regional panel OKs moving forward, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [Harrison, Hebron, Norway, Otisfield, Oxford, Paris, Waterford, West Paris, Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner] Hope fades for SADs 17 and 39 merger, Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• [Monmouth] School budget finally passes, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• [Andover, Bethel, Greenwood, Newry, Woodstock] SAD 44 feels squeeze, Barry Matulaitis, Sun Journal
• Monmouth: School budget finally gains OK from voters, Craig Crosby, Kennebec Journal
• School merger progress wends slowly forward, Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• [MSAD #58, MSAD #9] Consolidation plans hit roadblock, David Hart, Original Irregular
• [Saint John Valley] Concerns linger, but school boards vote on AOS plan, Monica Pettengill, Saint John Valley News

August 28

• [Burnham, Detroit, Pittsfield] Fine for SAD 53 possible, Scott Monroe, Morning Sentinel
• [Jackman, Moose River] SAD 12 rejects merger plan, Darla L. Pickett, Morning Sentinel
• Kennebunk sees potential conflict of interest, Steve Bodnar, York County Coast Star
• [Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel] School cost sharing comes into focus, Emma Bouthillette, Kennebunk/ Kennebunkport Post
• [Kittery] Consolidation solution in New Hampshire?, Jim Kanak, York Weekly
• [Atkinson, Brownville, Lagrange, Milo] SAD 41 chief leaving for Corinth principal’s job, Diana Bowley, Bangor Daily News
• New MDI school system wins state approval, Bill Trotter, Bangor Daily News
• Education chief approves MDI school reorganization, Earl Brechlin, Mount Desert Islander
• [Falmouth] State disputes reorganization foes' spin, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• Arrowsic, Georgetown struggle with tuition deal, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• [Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel] Major change for RSU cost-sharing option, Steve Bodnar, York County Coast Star
• Wells-Ogunquit, Kittery schools told to consider merger, Jim Kanak, Portsmouth Herald

August 29

• [Aurora, Amherst, Great Pond, Osborne] CSD 8 board votes to join Brewer, RSU 15, Michael Dabrieo, Bangor Daily News
• [Avon, Phillips, Strong, Eustis, Kingfield] MSAD 58 looks at different partnership, demands information from the state, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

August 30, 2008

• China votes to stay on board with SAD 47 consolidation, Colin Hickey, Kennebec Journal
• [Andover, Bethel, Greenwood, Newry, Woodstock] SAD44 looks to lawmakers for consolidation help, Alison Aloisio, Bethel Citizen

September 1, 2008

• [Fayette, Manchester, Mount Vernon, Readfield, Wayne, Winthrop] School plan in limbo, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [View from Pennsylvania] Budget woes spark school district merger talks, Martha Raffaele & Ramesh Santanam, Philadelphia Inquirer

September 2

• School enrollment expected to decline to below 190,000, Mal Leary, Bangor Daily News
• First day of school -- and public policy, Eric Conrad, Kennebec Journal
• [Camden, Rockport, Hope, Appleton, Lincolnville] Five towns may keep own school boards, Stephen Betts, Camden Herald

September 3

• Cape Elizabeth Passes School Budget, WMTW
• Cape approves revised school budget, Dennis Hoey, Press Herald
• [Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls] Consultants give merged school planners insight, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• SAD 17 approves revised plan for reorganization, Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• [Farmington, Weld, Temple, Wilton, Chesterville, New Vineyard, Industry, New Sharon, Vienna, Phillips, Eustis, Avon, Kingfield, Strong] New information shows SAD 9 pays more to consolidate, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• School consolidation picture not as rosy as state paints, Stephen Bowen, Morning Sentinel
• School merger repeal effort moves forward, Victoria Wallack, keepmecurrent.com
• Status of Reorganization Plans, Department of Education (8/29)
• [Bremen] School Consolidation, Discussion And Clarification, John Maguire, Lincoln County News
• [Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Newcastle, Nobleboro, So. Bristol, Edgecomb, Southport] Regional Planning Committee Discusses Further Plans Toward an AOS Goal, John Maguire, Lincoln County News

September 4

• [Belgrade, Oakland, Sidney] SAD 47 says yes to China, Colin Hickey, Kennebec Journal
• Consolidation Opponents Note Discontent with State Mandate, Victoria Wallack, Ellsworth American
• Education Chief Approves MDI School Reorganization, Earl Brechlin, Ellsworth American
• [Ellsworth, Hancock, Lamoine, Mariaville, Otis, Eastbrook, Waltham, Franklin, Gouldsboro, Sorrento, Steuben, Sullivan, Winter Harbor] Consolidated School Union Plan Going Before Public, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• [Fayette, Manchester, Mount Vernon, Readfield, Wayne, Winthrop] Difficulties increase for merger planners, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [Rockland, South Thomaston, Owls Head, Cushing, St. George, Thomaston] Consolidation plan rejected; SADs 5, 50 work to fix problems, Emily Sapienza, Courier-Gazette
• New school year, new blog, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Newcastle, Nobleboro, Great Salt Bay CSD, Jefferson, Edgecomb, South Bristol, Southport] School consolidation: Closer but not clearer, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register

September 5

• Careful wording explains consolidation progress, Jim Rier, Morning Sentinel
• [Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Peru, Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner, Byron, Mexico, Roxbury, Rumford] Meetings set on school merger, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Rockland, South Thomaston, Owls Head, Cushing, St. George, Thomaston] Committee for SADs 5, 50 to review reorganization plans, George Chappell, Bangor Daily News
• [Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel] Committee amends RSU formula due to K‘bunk objections, Emma Bouthillette, Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Post
• Summary and Status of Reorganization Plans, DoE (9/05)
• [Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Dayton] Consolidation plan subject of open public forum series, Gillian Graham, Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach Courier

September 6

• [Kittery, Wells-Ogunquit] York County schools to weigh merger, Ann S. Kim, Press Herald
• Fewer Districts, Students, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• [Appleton, Hope, Lincolnville, Camden, Rockport] Time to talk education, Editorial, Camden Herald

September 8

• Students, exam both come up short, Kelley Bouchard, Press Herald
• [Farmington, Weld, Temple, Wilton, Chesterville, New Vineyard, Industry, New Sharon, Vienna, Phillips, Eustis, Avon, Kingfield, Strong] Cost-sharing shift could alter proposed RSU consolidation plan, Valerie Tucker, Morning Sentinel
• Virtual town hall could help solve rural dilemma, Charles Lawton, Press Herald
• In Analysis: The Western Mountains Regional School Unit’s cost sharing plan, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

September 9

• End in sight for school law repeal drive, Rich Hewett, Bangor Daily News
• Table of Reorganized Districts, MDIschools.net (9/09)
• Map of Reorganized Districts, MDIschools.net (9/09)
• [Farmington, Weld, Temple, Wilton, Chesterville, New Vineyard, Industry, New Sharon, Vienna, Phillips, Eustis, Avon, Kingfield, Strong] Consolidation plans hit roadblock, David Hart, Original Irregular (8/27)
• [Farmington, Weld, Temple, Wilton, Chesterville, New Vineyard, Industry, New Sharon, Vienna, Phillips, Eustis, Avon, Kingfield, Strong] MSAD 9 school board sends consolidation plan to state, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

September 10

• China officials dispel consolidation rumors, Mary Grow, Kennebec Journal
• [Burlington, Edinburg, Enfield, Howland, Lowell, Maxfield, Passadumkeag] SAD 31 to stay out of Katahdin partnership, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• [Andover, Bethel, Greenwood, Newry, Woodstock, Dallas Plt., Lincoln Plt., Magalloway Plt., Rangeley, Rangeley Plt., Sandy River Plt.] SAD 44 to seek administrative union with Rangeley, SAU 37, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Newcastle, Nobleboro, Great Salt Bay CSD, Jefferson, Edgecomb, South Bristol, Southport] School consolidation: Closer but not clearer, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register
• [Jefferson, Bremen, Newcastle, Damariscotta, Bristol, South Bristol, Nobleboro, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport, Edgecomb] Consolidation Plan for Jefferson School Moves Forward, John Maguire, Lincoln County News
• [Alna, Westport Island, Wiscasset, Palermo, Chelsea, Somerville, Windsor, Whitefield] Sheepscot Valley RSU Plan Needs Clarification, Lucy Martin, Lincoln County News
• Wiscasset Board Pushes RSU Plan Forward, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News

September 11

• [Farmington, Weld, Temple, Wilton, Chesterville, New Vineyard, Industry, New Sharon, Vienna, Phillips, Eustis, Avon, Kingfield, Strong] Board OKs merger plan, Valerie Tucker, Morning Sentinel
• Flexible School Days, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• [Fayette, Manchester, Mount Vernon, Readfield, Wayne, Winthrop] School merger committee chooses new leadership, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [Cumberland, North Yarmouth, Falmouth] Officials begin push for 'yes' on reorganization, Sarah Trent, Forecaster
• [Cumberland, North Yarmouth, Falmouth] Critics at forum question benefits of school reorganization, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• [Freeport, Durham, Pownal] RPC subcommittee formed to educate public, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Phillips, Eustis, Avon, Kingfield, Strong] MSAD 58 school board submits plan, signals opposition to consolidation, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• Edgecomb gets consolidation update, Susan Johns, Wiscasset Newspaper

September 12

• [Raymond, Windham] Consolidation questions aired, Carol Meader, keepmecurrent.com
• Windsor School merger could generate added expenses, Mechele Cooper, Kennebec Journal
• Trenton Update on School Consolidation, Town of Trenton, informational brochure (9/12)
• Eileen King elected president of Maine School Superintendents Association, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register
• Edgecomb gets consolidation update, Susan Johns, Wiscasset Newspaper
• SADs 5, 50 approve changes, re-submit consolidation plan, Emily Sapienza, Courier-Gazette

September 13

• [Avon, Phillips, Strong, Kingfield, Eustis, Farmington] Amended school merger plan in works, Valerie Tucker, Morning Sentinel

September 15

• [North Yarmouth, Cumberland] Falmouth, SAD 51 seeking public opinion on school merger plan, Dennis Hoey, Press Herald
• [Arrowsic, Georgetown] Superintendent hoping for better outcome on tuition negotiations, Bob Kalish, Times Record
• Wallack Walks Away, Al Diamon, Media Mutt
• Alternative organizational structure good fit for five towns, Stephen Bowen, villagesoup.com

September 16

• [Saco, Dayton, Old Orchard Beach] Better, cheaper education goal of school consolidation, Kate Irish Collins, Sun Chronicle

September 17

• [Oakland, China, Belgrade, Sidney] SAD 47 boss selling school-merger plan, Colin Hickey, Kennebec Journal
• [Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Temple, Vienna, Weld, Wilton, Eustis, Kingfield, Phillips, Strong] School consolidation plan going to voters, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• Direct democracy and crafting town school budgets, Gordon Donaldson, Bangor Daily News
• MAP: Configuration of Proposed Regional School Units, DoE (9/17)
• Kittery, Wells-Ogunquit committees take no action: Both challenged by consolidation restrictions, Robyn Burnham, Journal Tribune
• Regionalization Creeps Forward, Maine Education Association, News & Views
• School funding debate far from its deathbed, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Friday is key consolidation deadline, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [Burnham, Detroit, Pittsfield] Plan would delay school merger penalties, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• School Choice for Wiscasset Presented to Sheepscot Valley RPC, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• [St. George] Tax concerns spur meeting, George Chappell, Bangor Daily News
• MSAD 9/MSAD 58 consolidation plan approved by DOE, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

September 18

• Ellsworth, Unions 92 and 96 Consolidation To Go to Local Voters, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• Consolidation Opponents Continue Working Toward Repeal, Ellsworth American
• Gendron: Consolidation on track, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Schools Face Another Consolidation Deadline, Scott Sassone, WCSH
• [Rockland, South Thomaston, Owls Head, Thomaston, St. George, Cushing] Education commissioner approves SAD 5, 50 merger plan, Shlomit Auciello, Courier-Gazette

September 19

• State withholds school subsidies, Matthew Stone, Press Herald
• Grace period for some school plans is justified, Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• [Mechanic Falls, Minot, Poland] Union 29 consolidation plan OK'd, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal
• [Mount Desert] District consolidation meeting set, MacKenzie Rawcliffe, Mount Desert Islander
• St. George meeting addresses consolidation concerns, Michael Dworkin, Courier-Gazette
• [Lee, Springfield, Webster Plt, Winn] SAD 30 rejects alternative body, stays in RSU 17, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• [View from Nebraska] Parents Battle Over School Mergers, National Public Radio (audio file)

September 20

• [Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Peru, Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner, Byron, Mexico, Roxbury, Rumford, Hanover] State approves 12-town school merger plan, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal

September 21

• College Panel Calls for Less Focus on SATs, Sarah Rimer, New York Times

September 22

• Willing school-merger partners deserve a break, Editorial, Press Herald
• St. George Raises School Consolidation Concern, George Chappell, Bangor Daily News

September 23

• [Canton, Carthage, Dixfield] Merger goes to SAD 21 voters, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Highland Plantation, Coplin Plantation, Eustis, Kingfield, Farmington] Hearings set on schools merger, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [Manchester, Readfield, Wayne, Maranacook] Poll: Share public works?
• Statehouse finance panel to meet Thursday, Susan M. Cover, mainetoday.com
• [Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Temple, Vienna, Weld, Wilton] MSAD 9 school board vote to support consolidation fails, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

September 24

• [Pittsfield, Burnham, Detroit] SAD 53 seeks law to escape penalties, Sharon Kiley Mack, Bangor Daily News
• [Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls] Panel reaches agreement on cost-sharing formula, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Temple, Vienna, Weld, Wilton] SAD 9 board rejects consolidation plan, Ann Bryant, Sun Journal
• [Belfast, Belmont, Morrill, Northport, Searsmont, Swanville, Frankfort, Searsport, Stockton Springs] School consolidation hearings draw 24 people, Jay Davis, Republican Journal
• Town of Trenton: Reorganization FAQs (presented at 9/24 public forum at Trenton Elementary School)

September 25

• Consolidation of western districts poses challenges, Valerie Tucker, Morning Sentinel
• [Burnham, Detroit, Pittsfield] SAD 53 hopes for more time to find partners, Scott Monroe, Morning Sentinel
• [Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel] RSU awaits state decision, Emma Bouthillette, Kennebunk Post
• [Falmouth, Cumberland, North Yarmouth] SAD 51 officials make their case for reorganization, Sarah Trent, Forecaster
• [Freeport, Durham, Pownal] RPC subcommittee must relay facts, fast, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Table of Reorganized Districts, MDIschools.net (9/25)
• Map of Reorganized Districts, MDIschools.net (9/25)
• Summary of Alternative and Reorganization Plans, DoE (9/25/2008)
• Unions 92 and 96 Consolidation Plan on Its Way To Commissioner, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American

September 26

• Status Report on Maine Schools & The Latest on the Plum Creek, Jennifer Rooks, MaineWatch
• Gendron answers some easy questions, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal

September 27

• [Rockland, Owls Head, South Thomaston, St. George, Cushing, Thomaston] SADs 5, 50 to hold consolidation meetings, Goerge Chappell, Bangor Daily News
• [Avon, Eustis, Kingfield, Phillips, Strong] Districts try to educate voters about mergers, Valerie Tucker, Morning Sentinel
• [Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Temple, Vienna, Weld, Wilton] SAD 9 school district merger unraveling, Valerie Tucker, Kennebec Journal

September 29

• Baldacci: Vacationland can become 'Opportunityland', Susan M. Cover, Press Herald
• [Andover, Bethel, Greenwood, Newry, Woodstock, Dallas Plt., Lincoln Plt., Magalloway Plt., Rangeley, Rangeley Plt., Sandy River Plt.] Schools begin merger meetings, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [View from Vermont] Vt. law will affect school budgets, Howard Weiss-Tisman, Brattleboro Reformer
• [Rockland, Owls Head, South Thomaston, St. George, Cushing, Thomaston] School reorganization committee announces public hearings, informational sessions, villagesoup.com
• Will high school students see new standards?, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal

September 30, 2008

• Falmouth school board balks at consolidation, Dennis Hoey, Press Herald
• Rep. McFadden: Dept. of Education Has Lost Credibility over Reorganization "Fiasco", Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• [Jonesboro, Machias, Marshfield, Northfield, Roque Bluffs, Whitneyville, Wesley, Cutler, Whiting, Machiasport, Lubec, East Machias] State, Machias-area School Officials Battle over Consolidation Progress, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press

October 1, 2008

• CHINA Voters ask 'Why?', Mary Grow, Morning Sentinel
• School Consolidation Not Supported By All, WCSH
• [Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Newcastle, Nobleboro, South Bristol, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport, Edgecomb, Jefferson] Regional Planning Committee Names AOS And Modifies Plan, John Maguire, Lincoln County News
• Consolidation repeal petitions going to state, press release, villagesoup.com

October 2

• [Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls] Merger proposal moves forward, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [ Deer Isle, Stonington, Brooklin, Sedgwick, Blue Hill, Brooksville, Castine, Penobscot, Surry] School Consolidation Plan for Western Towns Moves Ahead, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• [Falmouth] School Board fails to endorse plan for reorganization, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• [Freeport, Pownal, Durham] Consolidation communication plan taking shape Brochures, Web site and meetings in the works, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Proud of votes, Representative Joan Nass, Sanford-Springvale Register
• [Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls] Jay/MSAD 36 consolidation plan moves forward, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• RSU concerns in Arundel, Ron Couture, Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Post
• [Mount Chase, Patten, Sherman, Stacyville] MSAD #25 Board Signs Warrant, Allison Roy, Katahdin Press
• Rural school funds "sweeten" the deal, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal

October 3

• Governor Palin speaks on education at the VP debates (transcript)
• [Corinna, Hartland, Newport, Palmyra, Plymouth, St. Albans, Etna, Dixmont] School merger plans face voters, Scott Monroe, Morning Sentinel
• [Mechanic Falls, Minot, Poland] Union 29 merger meeting draws few, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal
• [Rockland, Owls Head, South Thomaston, St. George, Cushing, Thomaston] Consolidation hearing draws small turnout, Shlomit Auciello, Courier-Gazette
• [St. George] Aspects of consolidation plan, Josiah R. Wilson, knox.villagesoup.com
• No agency safe; Baldacci orders all budgets cut, Mal Leary, Bangor Daily News
• [Massachusetts looks to Maine] Regionalization discussions move forward, Derek Burritt, Harwich Oracle

October 4

• [Rockland, Owls Head, South Thomaston, St. George, Cushing, Thomaston] School district hearing mulls consolidation, George Chappell, Bangor Daily News
• Pre-K busing rule a blow to budgets, Sharon Kiley Mack, Bangor Daily News

October 5

• School rules are on agenda Lawmakers to look at new requirements for graduation, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal

October 6

• School directors dispute state requirement, George Chappell, Bangor Daily News

October 7

• New schools may wait as bonds curdle, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [Belfast, Belmont, Morrill, Northport, Searsmont, Swanville, Frankfort, Searsport, Stockton Springs] Seven meetings slated on school consolidation plan, Jay Davis, Republican Journal
• [Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Peru, Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner, Byron, Mexico, Roxbury, Rumford, Hanover] School merger details ready, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal

October 8

• Meaningful graduation standards overdue, Editorial, Press Herald
• 12 Towns Need to Approve New Machias-Area School Structure, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• Reorganization Update, Department of Education
• Town Academies Brace For State's Consolidation Plan, Maine Public Radio

October 9

• Belgrade backs China-SAD 47 school merger bid, Colin Hickey, Kennebec Journal
• [Kittery, Wells-Ogunquit] Schools asked to go another round with consolidation talks, Josh Rosenson, Foster's Democrat
• Bucksport School Board Approves Plan, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• Orland Voters to Decide Fate Of School Choice Under Reorganization, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• [NCLB] Unrealistic Expectations?, Editorial, Ellsworth American
• [National] Schools Found Likely to Miss NCLB Targets, Sean Cavanagh and David J. Hoff, Education Week
• [Windham, Raymond] Specifics won't be clear until plan in place, Dawn De Busk, Independent
• School consolidation won't save Arundel, Kennebunks any dough, Laura Dolce, York County Coast Star
• [Thomaston] School consolidation meeting sparks concerned discussion, Michael Dworkin, Courier-Gazette
• Town Academies Brace For State's Consolidation Plan, Keith Shortall, Maine Public Radio
• [Arundel] Ease school consolidation rumors – tune in and be informed, Leia Lowery, Kennebunk/ Kennebunkport Post
• Edgecomb school panel approves consolidation, Susan Johns, Wiscasset Newspaper
• [Boothbay] CSD Trustees talk consolidation, Lisa Kristoff, Boothbay Register
• [Dixmont, Etna, Corinna, Hartland, Newport, Palmyra, Plymouth, Saint Albans] SADs 48, 38 consolidation heads to the polls, Nov. 4, Bill Pearson, SV Weekly
• [Millinocket, East Millinocket, Medway] School re-structuring daunting task, R. David White, Katahdin Press

October 10

• [MDI] Funding formula meeting is planned, Mount Desert Islander
• [MDI] RPC forums are set, MacKenzie Rawcliffe, Mount Desert Islander
• [Harrison, Hebron, Norway, Otisfield, Oxford, Paris, Waterford, West Paris] SAD 17 to remain stand-alone district, Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Journal
• [Wells-Ogunquit] School district's alternative plan proposal rejected, Jim Kanak, York County Coast Star
• [Kennebunk, Kennebunkport] MSAD 71 / Arundel school consolidation plan rejected for third time, Laura Dolce, York County Coast Star
• High School Achievement in Maine: Where You Come From Matters More Than School Size and Expenditures, Fern Desjardins and Gordon A. Donaldson Jr, Maine Policy Review

October 11

• [Brewer, Dedham, Orrington, Clifton, Eddington, Holden, Amherst, Aurora, Great Pond, Osborn] Date set for 10-town vote, Nok-Noi Ricker, Bangor Daily News

October 13

• Southern Mainers voting on mergers, Kelley Bouchard, Press Herald
• [Orono, Old Town] Revisit Regional School, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• [Tremont] Public urged to attend school consolidation info meeting, Laurie Schreiber, Bar Harbor Times
• [Free breakfast in Franklin County!] Farmington forum scheduled on school consolidation proposals, Sun Journal

October 14

• Though not easy, school mergers are needed, Editorial, Press Herald
• [Avon, Coplin Plantation, Chesterville, Eustis, Farmington, Highland Plantation, Industry, Kingfield, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Phillips, Strong, Temple, Vienna, Weld, Wilton] School plan goes to hearings, then voters, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• Machias-Area School Planners Unanimously Approve Consolidation Plan, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• [Freeport, Durham, Pownal] School merger plan to be discussed, Rachel Ganong, Times Record
• General Purpose Aid in the FY 2010-11 State Budget, Commissioner Gendron, DoE Informational Letter No. 29

October 15

• [Avon, Coplin Plantation, Chesterville, Eustis, Farmington, Highland Plantation, Industry, Kingfield, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Phillips, Strong, Temple, Vienna, Weld, Wilton] School plan goes to hearings, then voters, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal

October 16

• State may freeze school subsidies, Mal Leary, Bangor Daily News
• [Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel] MSAD 71 voters face complicated decision on school consolidation plan, Laura Dolce, York County Coast Star
• [Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel] Forming the new Regional School Unit, Kennebunk Selectmen, Portsmouth Herald
• Wells-Ogunquit CSD told to try again at school consolidation, Jim Kanak, York County Coast Star
• School consolidation law under fire from citizen group, York Weekly
• [Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Byron, Mexico, Roxbury, Rumford, Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner] Public hearings set on schools merger, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Andover, Bethel, Greenwood, Newry, Woodstock, Rangeley] SAD 44 board sends state notice on merger plan, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Ellsworth, Eastbrook, Hancock, Lamoine, Mariaville, Otis, Waltham, Franklin, Gouldsboro, Sorrento, Steuben, Sullivan, Winter Harbor] School Consolidation Plan for RSU 7 Goes to Voters Dec. 9, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• RSUs May Force Financial Inequities, Carle Gray, Ellsworth American
• [Assessments] A Teacher’s Insight, Lynn Bonsey, Ellsworth American
• More than half of all reorganization plans submitted, DoE press release
• [Avon, Eustis, Kingfield, Phillips, Strong] Public meeting on consolidation draws few community members, many students, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

October 17

• [Mechanic Falls, Minot, Poland] Public remains silent about school consolidation plan, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal
• [Andover, Bethel, Greenwood, Newry, Woodstock, Rangeley, Upton, Gilead] School merger panel agrees on board, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• Schools facing funding freeze, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• [MDI] School plan deserves support, George Peckham, Mount Desert Islander
• Contentious meeting in St. George on school consolidation plan, Michael Dworkin, Courier-Gazette
• [Kennebunk] Searles says 'No' to RSU, Al Searles, Kennebunk/ Kennebunkport Post
• Consolidation opponents deliver signatures, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• School consolidation's problems aired by superintendents, Bobbie Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

October 18

• Consolidation plan not working, school superintendents say, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• School merger petition delivered, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Petition to ax school consolidation law delivered, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• Schools brace for further state subsidy cuts, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times

October 19

• [MDI] High school funding formula forum on tap, Laurie Schrieber, Bar Harbor Times

October 20

• [Abbot, Cambridge, Guilford, Parkman, Sangerville, Wellington, Dexter, Exeter, Garland, Ripley] SADs 4, 46 reorganization plan back for changes, Diana Bowley, Bangor Daily News
• Study: Progress, resistance in school mergers, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Changes to the Maine Educational Assessment at Grades 3-8, DoE Informational Letter
• How far will a consolidation repeal go?, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal

October 21

• Study sees consolidation progress Sticking points also discovered among community voters, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [Byron, Mexico, Roxbury, Rumford, Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner, Hanover] Town officials hear about school merger, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Wells-Ogunquit, Kittery, York] Hill, Moulton square off again in District 149 race, Jim Kanak, York Weekly
• Changes to Consolidation Law Due Long Before Repeal Vote Is Held, Christopher Cousins, Ellsworth American
• [Tremont, MDI] School referendum on final run to vote, Laurie Schreiber, Bar Harbor Times
• Tremont, Pemetic consolidation forum up next, Laurie Schreiber, Bar Harbor Times
• Another testing fiasco?, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal

October 22

• Kittery schools still can't find a partner, Dave Choate, Portsmouth Herald
• Kittery School District stuck in consolidation limbo, Josh Rosenson, Foster's Democrat
• [Oakland, Belgrade, Sidney, China] SAD 47 Council to vote on merger plan, Colin Hickey, Kennebec Journal
• State reducing student testing, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [Mechanic Falls, Minot, Poland] Superintendent sees savings in consolidation, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal
• [Farmington] School merger plan gets airing, Ann Bryant, Sun Journal
• [Jonesport, Beals, Addison, Columbia, Columbia Falls, Cherryfield, Harrington, Milbridge, Beddington, Deblois] School hearing Oct. 23 at Jonesport-Beals, Steve Colhoun, Bangor Daily News
• Pressure rises to reach 'No Child Left Behind' goals, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• [Belfast, Belmont, Morrill, Northport, Searsmont, Swanville, Frankfort, Searsport, Stockton Springs] School consolidation? What school consolidation?, Jay Davis, Republican Journal
• [Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Dayton] Three-community school district consolidation on the ballot, Kate Irish Collins, Sun Chronicle
• [Farmington] MSAD 9’s consolidation plan questioned, Bobbie Hanstein, Daily Bulldog
• [MDI] Educational opportunity, Trenton School Board, Mount Desert Islander
• [MDI] Yes for schools, Brian Hubbell, Mount Desert Islander
• Whitefield Previews Oct. 25 RSU Public Meeting, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News

October 23

• [Acton] Selectmen, School Committee to talk consolidation, Lorraine Yeaton, Foster's Democrat
• Oakland: Council lacks votes for merger plan, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• [Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Temple, Vienna, Weld, Wilton] SAD 9 seen veering toward alternative plan, Valerie Tucker, Kennebec Journal
• [Canton, Carthage, Dixfield] School merger law questioned, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• School Consolidation Law Must Be Repealed, Lawrence "Skip" Greenlaw, Ellsworth American
• School merger law under attack, Deborah McDermott and Jim Kanak, York Weekly
• [Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel] State approves MSAD 71/Arundel consolidation plan: Committee member decries 'strong- arm tactics', Laura Dolce, York Weekly
• Letter from MSAD 71 School Board: To the residents of Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, MSAD Board of Directors, York Weekly
• [Castle Hill, Chapman, Mapleton, Presque Isle, Westfield] SAD 1 adopts resolution opposing plan, Scott Mitchell Johnson, Star Herald
• [Castle Hill, Chapman, Mapleton, Presque Isle, Westfield, Ashland, Garfield Plt, Masardis, Oxbow Plt, Portage Lake, Nashville Plt.] School boards urge ‘No’ vote on referendum, Scott Mitchell Johnson, Star Herald
• [Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Dayton] Consolidation plans go before voters Nov. 4, Gillian Graham, Courier
• Freeport, partners show range of reaction to reorganization, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Reorganization faces test in Falmouth, SAD 51, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• School cost savings dominate debate in Freeport-Pownal-Durham reorganization, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Washington County] Candidates Agree on School Consolidation Law’s Failings, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• Gendron Gives Approval to Machias Area School Consolidation Plan: East Machias Selectmen Urge Towns to Vote It Down, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• Petitions presented to overturn school consolidation law, Paula Gibbs, Wiscasset Newspaper
• [Wiscasset] Public hearing turnout pitiful, Paula Gibbs, Wiscasset Newspaper
• [Wiscasset] Read it before you vote, Tell It To George, Wiscasset Newspaper
• [Boothbay] CSD school committees submit, but don't endorse, consolidation plan, Sue Mello, Boothbay Register
• College Board rolls out new product, Sara Rimer, New York Times
• Freeport, Durham, Pownal bone up for key merger vote, Rachel Ganong, Times Record

October 24

• [Mechanic Falls, Minot, Poland] Consolidation efforts, Jacques Wiseman, Sun Journal
• [Rumford] Hearings over; merger up to voters,, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• Mexico selectmen oppose school district merger, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Lubec, Cutler, East Machias, Machias, Machiasport, Jonesboro, Marshfield, Northfield, Roque Bluffs, Wesley, Whiting and Whitneyville] School system plan for central county receives approval, Norma Harrop, Quoddy Tides

October 25

• Predictions for school consolidation referenda, AsMaineGoes.com

October 26

• Next Legislature should not knock out school merger law, Editorial, Sunday Telegram
• [Castle Hill, Chapman, Mapleton, Presque Isle, Westfield] SAD 1 adopts resolution opposing plan, Scott Mitchell Johnson, Star Herald
• [Castle Hill, Chapman, Mapleton, Presque Isle, Westfield, Ashland, Garfield Plt, Masardis, Oxbow Plt, Portage Lake, Nashville Plt.] School boards urge ‘No’ vote on referendum, Scott Mitchell Johnson, Star Herald
• [MDI] School reorganization plan going to voters, Greg Fish, Bar Harbor Times

October 27

• Falmouth split on school merger issue, Dennis Hoey, Press Herald
• [Andover, Bethel, Greenwood, Newry, Woodstock, Rangeley, Upton, Gilead] SAD 44, Rangeley continue merger plans, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• Consolidation spreads, and survives, Matthew Stone, The Report Card, Kennebec Journal
• Interpretive Ruling on which K-12 employer has the duty to bargain during the transition to an RSU [Request for comment], Maine Labor Relations Board
• 16 Reorganization Plans and the Threat to School Choice, Stephen Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center
• [Rockland, Owls Head, South Thomaston, St. George, Cushing, Thomaston] Why SAD 5/50 consolidation makes sense, David F. Emery, Courier Gazette
• Consolidation: the real issues, Terry Driscoll, George Emery, William Reinhardt, Courier-Gazette (10/30)

October 28

• [Oakland] Vote against consolidation of SAD 47, China systems, Richard Jurdak, Kennebec Journal
• [Castle Hill, Chapman, Mapleton, Presque Isle, Westfield] Boards oppose school consolidation
• Table of Reorganized Districts, MDIschools.net (10/24)
• Map of Reorganized Districts, MDIschools.net (10/24)
• Summary of Alternative and Reorganization Plans, DoE (10/24/2008)
• [Wiscasset, Alna, Westport, Chelsea, Palermo, Somerville, Whitefield, Windsor] School officials pitch 8-town consolidation plan, Seth Koenig, Times Record
• [Freeport] School board weighs in on consolidation, Rachel Ganong, Times Record
• [Camden, Rockport, Appleton, Hope, Lincolnville] State wants schools to detail cost savings of consolidation plan, Stephen Betts, Camden Herald
• [Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Temple, Vienna, Weld, Wilton] School board plots post-election reorganization course, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

October 29

• [Minot, Poland, Mechanic Falls] Good, solid plan, Tina Kelly, Sun Journal
• Study: School consolidation partners report reluctance, pessimism, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• Houlton councilors oppose school merger, Jen Lynds, Bangor Daily News
• [Dixmont, Etna, Corinna, Hartland, Newport, Palmyra, Plymouth, Saint Albans] SAD 48 raises concerns about SAD 38 vote, Sharon Kiley Mack, Bangor Daily News
• Hancock Selectmen Vote to Retain Easement on Land Abutting School, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• School Consolidation Law Separate Issue From Regional Unit, Whitefield Forum Told, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• [Falmouth] Breen, Hulit speak up for school consolidation, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• Freeport enrollment decline: Valid or not?, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Ballot questions: Where we stand [Falmouth: NO; Freeport: YES], Editorial endorsements, Forecaster
• [Saint John Valley] Valley School Reorganization (part 4), Danny Bechard, Saint John Valley Times

October 30

• [Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel] School district merger up for vote, Ann S. Kim, Press Herald
• [Belgrade] SAD 47, China schools consolidation a good plan, Dennis Keschl, Morning Sentinel
• Consolidation Concerns, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• Department eyes flat-funding school aid, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• [Belfast, Belmont, Morrill, Northport, Searsmont, Swanville, Frankfort, Searsport, Stockton Springs] 'No guarantees' for future with merger of SADs 34, 56, Tanya Mitchell, Republican Journal
• The Case Against School Consolidation, Editorial, Ellsworth American
• [Cushing, Saint George, Thomaston, Owls Head, Rockland, South Thomaston] Advocates lay out pros, cons of school consolidation plan, Shlomit Auciello, Courier-Gazette
• Three takes on consolidation, Matthew Stone, The Report Card, Kennebec Journal
• [Alna, Westport island, Wiscasset] Buy out not an option, McIntire says, Paula Gibbs, Wiscasset Newspaper
• [Wiscasset, Alna] If not this RSU, towns will need another, Susan Johns, Wiscasset Newspaper
• [Rockland, Owls Head, South Thomaston, St. George, Cushing, Thomaston] Consolidation: the real issues, Terry Driscoll, George Emery, William Reinhardt, Courier-Gazette (10/30)
• [Saco, Dayton, Old Orchard Beach] Letters: School consolidationRon Michaud, Dave Galli, Gary Curtis, Peter Flaherty, Courier

October 31, 2008

• CHINA: 7 referenda set for voters to decide, Mary Grow, Kennebec Journal
• Learn about Sheepscot school consolidation plan, Lester Sheaffer, Kennebec Journal
• [Andover, Bethel, Greenwood, Newry, Woodstock, Gilead, Upton, Rangeley, Dallas Plt., Lincoln Plt., Magalloway Plt., Rangeley Plt., Sandy River Plt.] One week remains to plan consolidation, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• Etna-based schools merger sparks a fight, Sharon Kiley Mack, Bangor Daily News
• Vote 'yes' on school reorganization, Gail Marshall & Brian Hubbell, Mount Desert Islander
• [MDI] School plan tops ballots, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
• School consolidation, Editorial, Mount Desert Islander
• [Castle Hill, Chapman, Mapleton, Presque Isle, Westfield, Ashland, Garfield Plt, Masardis, Oxbow Plt, Portage Lake, Nashville Plt.] Education official clarifies school reorganization points for voters, Scott Mitchell Johnson, Star Herald
• [Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel] Sides agree RSU plan is flawed, Emma Bouthillette, Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Post
• Arundel School Board says 'Yes', Arundel School Board, Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Post
• Message from Commissioner Gendron, DoE Reorganization Update
• Citizen's Guide to evaluating consolidation plans, Maine Small Schools Coalition
• Principals skeptical of writing test changes, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times

November 1, 2008

• [Strong, Avon, Phillips, Kingfield, Stratton] Merger plan awaits verdict of voters, Valerie Tucker, Morning Sentinel
• Houlton updated on school consolidation law, Jen Lynds, Bangor Daily News
• MDI towns to vote on school plan, Bill Trotter, Bangor Daily News
• Citizen's Guide to evaluating consolidation plans, Maine Small Schools Coalition (reformatted, one-page *.pdf)
• The Pros and Cons of Freeport School Consolidation, Peter Troast, Future Freeport
• [Rockland, Owls Head, South Thomaston, St. George, Cushing, Thomaston] Consolidation: the real issues, Terry Driscoll, George Emery, William Reinhardt, Courier-Gazette (10/30)
• Q & A sheet being distributed in Woodland (10/30)

November 2

• [Saint John Valley] Valley School Reorganization Plan Unacceptable, Dan Bechard, Saint John valley Times

November 3

• School District Consolidation Plans Go To Voters, Caroline Cornish, WCSH
• [Avon, Coplin Plantation, Chesterville, Eustis, Farmington, Highland Plantation, Industry, Kingfield, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Phillips, Strong, Temple, Vienna, Weld, Wilton] 16 areas consider school mergers, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [Millinocket, East Millinocket, Medway] Katahdin reorganization plan won’t close schools, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• Maine prepares to return to roots on school testing, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Schools group backs consolidation repeal, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Tomorrow's the big day, Matthew Stone, The Report Card, Kennebec Journal

November 4

• [Oakland, Belgrade, Sidney, Rome, China] Merger plans face voters, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• School boards group joins call against mergers, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• School consolidation votes roll in, Kelley Bouchard, Press Herald

November 5

• [MDI] School reorganization passes, Mount Desert Islander
• [Dallas Plt., Lincoln Plt., Magalloway Plt., Rangeley, Rangeley Plt., Sandy River Plt] To the citizens of Maine School Union #37, Philip Richardson, Irregular
• Voters up and down on school merger plans, Kelley Bouchard, Press Herald
• [Alna, Chelsea, Palermo, Somerville, Westport Island, Windsor, Whitefield and Wiscasset] Voters favoring school mergers, Kennebec Journal
• Voters mixed on school merger plans, Morning Sentinel
• [Etna, Dixmont, Plymouth, Palmyra] 4 towns OK school consolidation effort Abigail Curtis, Bangor Daily News
• MDI school reorganization vote tabulation
• [MDI] School reorganization plan passes, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• [Belfast, Searsport] Voters give thumbs up to SADs 34, 56 consolidation, Jay Davis, Republican Journal
• [Owls Head, Rockland, South Thomaston, Cushing, St. George, Thomaston] SADs 5, 50 approve school district consolidation, knox.villagesoup.com
• [Mechanic Falls, Minot, Poland] Voters OK school consolidation plan
• [Durham] Voters approve school merger, Sun Journal
• [Farmington] Early returns reject merger, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [Rumford, Buckfield, Hanover] Merger solid for SADs 21 and 43, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Arundel, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport] School consolidation passes, Laura Dolce, seacoastonline.com
• East Machias Selectmen Encourage "No" Vote on Consolidation, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• Porter Presses Gendron on School Subsidy Figures, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• School Consolidation Dominates Education Commissioner Gendron’s Machias Presentation, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• [Dayton, Old Orchard Beach, Saco] Creation of regional school district passes by wide margin, Kate Irish Collins, Sun Chronicle
• [Owls Head, Rockland, South Thomaston, Cushing, St. George, Thomaston] Midcoast school consolidation plans approved, George Chappell, Bangor Daily News
• School Administrative Reorganization: November 4th Referendum Results, DoE tabulation
• Majority of Reorganization Referendum Votes Favorable: At least 12 of 18 plans approved, DoE press release
• [Freeport, Durham, Pownal] Three towns OK school merger, Rachel Ganong, Times Record
• Wiscasset voters approve school consolidation plan, Seth Koenig, Times Record
• [Avon, Eustis, Kingfield, Phillips, Strong, Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Temple, Vienna, Weld, Wilton, Highland Plt., Coplin Plt.] MSAD 9/MSAD 58 consolidation plan fails, districts eye other options, Ben Hanstein, Daily Bulldog

November 6

• MDI school consolidation plan approved, Bill Trotter, Bangor Daily News
• Two midcoast districts choose consolidation, George Chappell, Bangor Daily News
• [Etna, Dixmont, Corinna, Newport, Palmyra, Plymouth, St. Albans, Hartland] SAD 38, 48 voters OK consolidation, Abigail Curtis, Bangor Daily News
• 5 consolidation plans rejected , 12 OK'd, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• Merger results mixed, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• [Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Peru, Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner, Byron, Mexico, Roxbury, Rumford, Hanover] Western Foothills School District OK'd, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Farmington, Kingfield] Merger rejected for SADs 9, 58, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• Kittery School Committee remains unchanged after election, Josh Rosenson, Foster's Democrat
• [Ellsworth, Eastbrook, Hancock, Lamoine, Mariaville, Otis, Waltham, Franklin, Gouldsboro, Sorrento, Steuben, Sullivan, Winter Harbor] RSU 7 Consolidation Hearing Takes Up the Many Unknowns, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• [Otis, Ellsworth] Reducing School Costs, James Dunn, Ellsworth American
• [Andover, Bethel, Greenwood, Newry, Woodstock, Dallas Plt., Lincoln Plt., Magalloway Plt., Rangeley, Rangeley Plt., Sandy River Plt.] SAD44-SAU consolidation plan will go to voters in late January, Alison Aloisio, Bethel Citizen
• Falmouth rejects reorganization, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• Freeport, Pownal and Durham OK reorganization, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Voters Weigh In On School Consolidation Keith McKeen, Maine Public Radio

November 7

• Voters in 12 towns made progress on school mergers, Editorial, Press Herald
• [MDI] School plan wins passage, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
• [Rangeley, Andover, Bethel, Newry, Greenwood, Woodstock, Gilead, Upton] Distant school units agree to merger plan, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal

November 8

• [Thomaston, Rockland] Consolidation plan awaits state certification, Shlomit Auciello, Courier-Gazette
• [MDI] Reorganization committee readies for next step, Greg Fish, Bar Harbor Times
• Lubec tally on school closure: 288-197, Diana Graettinger, Bangor Daily News
• Today's brightest no match for prior generation, Thomas Hanson, Capital Weekly

November 9

• [Rumblings from Connecticut] Regional Cohesion: Why it Matters, Mark Muro & David Warren, Hartford Courant
• [Lewsiston, Auburn] Millions from consolidation? That ain't hay, Jim Wellehan, Sun Journal

November 10

• Repeal try could block changes to school law, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [Falmouth, North Yarmouth, Cumberland] Divided over consolidation, Dennis Hoey, Press Herald
• Voters advise closing Lubec school, Diana Graettinger, Bangor Daily News
• Pending Budget Curtailment Order, Commissioner Gendron, DoE Informational Letter
• Gendron: Prepare for budgets to get worse, Matthew Stone, The Report Card, Kennebec Journal

November 11

• [Brewer, Dedham, Orrington, Holden, Eddington, Clifton, Aurora, Amherst, Great Pond, Osborn] RSU 15 panel sees cost increase, Nok-Noi Ricker, Bangor Daily News
• Group aims to cut confusion on school consolidation, Fern Desjardins & Scott Porter, Bangor Daily News
• Wiscasset ponders key decision on school choice, Seth Koenig, Times Record
• East Machias School Board Joins Selectmen in Urging Voters to Oppose Proposed School Reorganization, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• Winslow Voters to decide on school merger proposal, Joel Elliott, Morning Sentinel

November 12

• Rockwood school not "viable economically", Diana Bowley, Bangor Daily News
• [Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Temple, Vienna, Weld, Wilton, Avon, Eustis, Kingfield, Phillips, Strong, Coplin Plt, Highland Plt.] Reorganization plan killed by voters, David Hart, Irregular
• [Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Peru, Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner, Byron, Mexico, Roxbury, Rumford, Hanover] School boards slate meeting on consolidation, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls] Panel to review school plan, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [Fayette, Manchester, Mount Vernon, Readfield, Wayne, Winthrop] Maranacook area finishes merger plan, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• York schools uncertain about state aid, Steve Bodnar, York Weekly
• School Choice Debated For Wiscasset Students, Greg Foster, Lincoln County News
• [SAD 38, SAD 48] Consolidation narrowly approved, Bill Pearson, SV Weekly

November 13

• [Fayette, Manchester, Mount Vernon, Readfield, Wayne, Winthrop, Maranacook] Towns ink merger, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [Andover, Bethel, Greenwood, Newry, Woodstock, Gilead, Upton, Rangeley, Dallas Plt., Lincoln Plt., Magalloway Plt., Rangeley Plt., Sandy River Plt.] Savings from SAD44/SAU37 consolidation calculated, Alison Aloisio, Bethel Citizen
• Arundel schools to merge with 'Bunks, Emma Bouthillette, Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Post
• [Falmouth] Reorganization: Back to the drawing board, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• [Cumberland, North Yarmouth] SAD 51 eyes efficiency, tuition income, Sarah Trent, Forecaster
• Freeport looks ahead to RSU, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Boothby Settling in as New Bucksport Superintendent, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• Repeal the School Consolidation Law, Mark Hurvitt, Ellsworth American
• [Arundel, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport] RSU plan already in the works, Laura Dolce, York County Coast Star
• Wells, Ogunquit should be 'doughnut holed', Editorial, Journal Tribune
• Local schools expect $800,000 slash to current state funding, Duke Harrington, Advertiser Democrat
• [Southern Aroostook, Katahdin region] Local Towns Defeat RSU, Allison Roy, Katahdin Press
• The school closure forces at work, Matthew Stone, The Report Card, Kennebec Journal
• Voters may get chance to repeal school law, Charlotte Boynton, Wiscasset Newspaper

November 14

• [Windsor, Wiscasset, Alna, Westport Island, Chelsea, Whitefield, Somerville, Palermo] 8-town school unit moves to fill posts, Mechele Cooper, Kennebec Journal
• [Byron, Mexico, Roxbury, Rumford] Consolidation sparks uncertainty for special ad hoc committee, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls] Boards vote to submit merger plan, Sun Journal
• [Camden, Rockport, Appleton, Hope, Lincolnville AOS] Revised five-town school plan on its way to state, Stephen Betts, Herald Gazette
• Could consolidation lead to MORE school choice?, Steve Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center

November 15

• [Waterville, Winslow and Vassalboro] School plan needs revision, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• [Avon, Eustis, Kingfield, Phillips, Strong] SAD 58 Board of Directors won't pursue consolidation, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• Maine’s Struggle with Consolidation Law Continues, Rural Policy Matters

November 16

• [Belfast, Searsport] Out with old, in with new: Two steps closer to an RSU, Steve Fuller, Republican Journal
• Kennebunk to dismiss school costs lawsuit, Press Herald

November 17

• SAD 11: Budget woes may force loss of school options in Randolph, Mechele Cooper, Kennebec Journal
• Consolidation Questions, Editorial, Bangor Daily News
• [Greenville, Shirley, Beaver Cove, Bowerbank, MSAD 12 (Jackman, Moose River), MSAD 41 (Atkinson, Brownville, Lagrange, Milo), MSAD 68 (Charleston, Dover-Foxcroft, Monson, Sebec)] Maine Highlands Regional School Consortium reorganization information page, Greenville School Department
• [Lee, Springfield, Webster Plt, Winn, Burlington, Edinburg, Enfield, Howland, Lowell, Maxfield, Passadumkeag, Chester, Lincoln, Mattawamkeag, Carroll Plt., Drew Plt., Lakeville, Macwahoc Plt., Reed Plt., Woodville, Lowell, Seboeis] RSU 17 panel submits reorganization plan, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• State sees revenues declining, Mal Leary, Bangor Daily News
• Ruling on SAU/RSU transitional bargaining authority, Maine Labor Relations Board (11/14/2008)
• Not Everyone Wants to Move Toward Rating Educators by Student Progress, Jay Mathews, Washington Post
• [MDI] High school funding formula subject of forum, Laurie Schreiber, Bar Harbor Times

November 18

• Waterville, Winslow back school plan revision, Joel Elliott, Morning Sentinel
• [Kittery] Another shot at consolidation, Dave Choate, Portsmouth Herald
• Baldacci to share curtailment details, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Voters said yes, now state says no, Mathew Stone, The Report Card, Kennebec Journal
• Union Prez: Performance Pay Works, Libby Quaid, AP, Teacher Magazine
• Georgetown, RSU 1 remain at odds, Seth Koenig, Times Record

November 19

• Baldacci to discuss spending cuts today, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [Waterville, Winslow, Vassalboro] School plan moves ahead, Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel
• GOP helped Democrats pass critical legislation, Richard W. Rosen, Morning Sentinel
• [Jonesport, Beals] Down East residents reject school plan, Steve Colhoun, Bangor Daily News
• [Camden, Rockport, Appleton, Hope, Lincolnville] State OKs five-town school plan, Stephen Betts, Herald Gazette
• Baldacci cuts budget by $80 million, Susan M. Cover, mainetoday.com
• Curtailment Effect on Subsidy, Commissioner Gendron, DoE Informational Letter

November 20

• Education takes major hit, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• [Kittery] Board urged to send letter detailing efforts at consolidation, Josh Rosenson, Foster's Democrat
• [Durham, Freeport, Pownal] Joint school board holds first meeting, Connie Footman, Sun Journal
• State cuts mean less for schools this year, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• School reorganization process not rosy, Dan Bechard, Bangor Daily News
• [Blue Hill, Castine, Brooksville, Penobscot, Deer Isle, Stonington, Sedgwick, Brooklin, Surry] Consolidation Plan a Mixed Bag For Western Hancock County Voters, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• Consolidation Vote Should Be Postponed, Carle Gray, Ellsworth American
• [Acton, Wells-Ogunquit] Other districts consolidating?, Jim Kanak, York Weekly
• Dissecting the curtailment, Matthew Stone, The Report Card, Kennebec Journal
• [SAD 17, Oxford Hills] Local schools expect $800,000 slash to current state funding, Duke Harrington, Advertiser Democrat
• [Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Newcastle, Nobleboro, South Bristol, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport, Edgecomb, and Jefferson AOS] Central Lincoln County's School Reorganization Plan Approved, Lincoln County News
• [As goes Maine, so goes Indiana, New Jersey, New York, and maybe Ohio...] Attempted Merger: States are pushing localities to consolidate - and localities are pushing back, Josh Goodman, Governing Magazine
• Susan Gendron, Commissioner of Education, Maine Department of Education, Receives SETDA's First Pushing the Envelope Award, State Educational Technology Directors Association press release
• Consolidation, Josiah R. Wilson, knox.villagesoup.com
• [East Millinocket, Medway, Millinocket, Woodville] Katahdin Area School Reorganization: AOS Committee prepares plan for State approval, Franklin Manzo, Jr., Katahdin Press

November 21

• [Southwest Harbor, Tremont] Elementary school consolidation is topic of forums, Mark Good, Mount Desert Islander
• Table of Reorganized Districts, MDIschools.net (11/20)
• Map of Reorganized Districts, MDIschools.net (11/20)
• Summary of Alternative and Reorganization Plans, DoE (11/20/2008)
• Curtailment/Supplemental Budget Proposal information, DoE
• Curtailment Estimate: General Purpose Aid for Local Schools
• Methodology for Curtailment/Supplemental Budget GPA Reductions
• Wells-Ogunquit School District to seek consolidation with Acton [as AOS], Jim Kanak, Portsmouth Herald
• Acton looks to coast for school partner, Renee Worthing, Sanford-Springvale Register
• Department of Education Budget Curtailment Trickles Down To Local Schools, Christopher Cousins, Ellsworth American

November 22

• Local educators learn specifics of spending cuts, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Ed boss: Ideas, please, Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal
• School aid cuts pegged to value, Mal Leary, Bangor Daily News
• Should Tremont and Pemetic schools consolidate?, Laurie Schreiber, Bar Harbor Times

November 24

• Districts scrambling to deal with cuts in aid, Elbert Aull, Press Herald
• [Oakland, Belgrade, Sidney, Rome, China] Regional school unit to begin transition, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• Good, bad news for state’s school choice tradition, Stephen Bowen, Bangor Daily News

November 25

• Jonesboro Selectmen, School Board Urge No Vote on AOS, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press
• [Wiscasset, Westport Island, Alna, Whitefield, Chelsea, Windsor, Somerville and Palermo] Planners Meet To Expedite Sheepscot Valley RSU Startup, Lucy L. Martin, Lincoln County News
• Mid-year aid slice irks Freeport board, Rachel Ganong, Times Record
• [Final] Diploma Stakeholders Recommendations, Report to the Commissioner of Education

November 26

• [Newport, Corinna, Hartland, St. Albans, Palmyra, Plymouth, Etna, Dixmont] School district seeks board members, Scott Monroe, Morning Sentinel
• [Dixfield, Rumford, Buckfield, Mexico, Hanover] Consolidated district to discuss needs, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• [Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls] Merger question sent to voters, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [Andover, Bethel, Greenwood, Newry, Woodstock, Upton, Gilead, Rangeley, Rangeley Plt., Sandy River Plt., Dallas Plt., Lincoln Plt., Magalloway Plt.] School merger plan submitted to state, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• The great education policy swap, Editorial, Sun Journal
• [MDI] State budget cuts hitting locally: Schools ordered to eliminate all but essential purchases, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• [Georgetown, Arrowsic] Impasse remains over rates for tuition, Seth Koenig, Times Record
• [Kingfield, Carrabassett] Consolidation issue comes to rest, David Hart, Irregular

November 27

• Wells-Ogunquit School Board gives go ahead to consolidation talks with Acton, York Country Coast StarEllsworth RSU Hearing Draws No One from General Public, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• [Lamoine, Hancock, Eastbrook, Waltham, Mariaville, Otis, Sorrento, Sullivan, Ellsworth, Franklin, Gouldsboro, Steuben, Winter Harbor] Attendance Spotty as School Consolidation Meetings Conclude, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• Consolidation Train Must Be Derailed, Carter Jones, Ellsworth American
• [Waldo Country] Districts face nearly $500,000 in state subsidy cuts, Jay Davis, Republican Journal
• [Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Yarmouth, Brunswick] State curtailment hits school districts hard, Sarah Trent, Forecaster
• [Freeport, Pownal, Durham] Residents show interest in RSU board, Amy Anderson, Forecaster

November 28

• Maine lawmakers urged to limit bills to save money, Glenn Adams, AP
• MDI High school funding forum set, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
• Schools in the crosshairs of budget bazooka, Jill Goldthwait, Mount Desert Islander
• [MDI HS] School funding formula unfair, George Peckham, Mount Desert Islander
• [Lubec] Communities eye school regionalization: Plan to be outlined in Lubec, Chessie Johnson, Quoddy Tides
• [Vanceboro, Charlotte, Dennysville, Pembroke, Perry, Alexander, Baring Plantation, Cooper, Calais, Talmadge, Crawford, Robbinston, Baileyville, Eastport, Grand Lake Stream, Meddybemps, Princeton, Codyville, Topsfield, Waite] Communities eye school regionalization: Committee chalks up questions, Eileen Curry, Quoddy Tides

November 30, 2008

• Brainstorming sessions follow school aid cuts, Kelley Bouchard, Press Herald

December 1, 2008

• Consolidation, CIP on Kittery school docket, Dave Choate, Portsmouth Herald
• Low on options, two districts may merge, Ann S. Kim, Press Herald
• Waterville council might set school proposal vote, Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel
• Who will notice the differences?, Matthew Stone, The Report Card, Kennebec Journal
• [East Millinocket, Medway, Millinocket, Woodville] Katahdin Area School Reorganization Plan Approved by DOE, Katahdin Press
• Guidance to Municipal Clerks and Interim Secretaries Regarding School Administrative Unit Reorganization Referendum, letter from Jim Rier, DoE

December 2

• Waterville to vote on school reorganization plan, Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel
• Gendron helping to lay Obama's education ground work, Matthew Stone, The Report Card, Kennebec Journal
• [MDI] High school funding formula forum Thursday, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• MDI High School funding formula forum
• MDI High School funding formula poll
• SADs 34, 56 to become RSU 20 in July, Jay Davis, Republican Journal

December 3

• Education officials lead towns astray, Trish Brigham, Press Herald
• Obama girls might have raised hope in public schools, Greg Kesich, Press Herald
• Maranacook: School Union 42 extends contract of superintendent, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Gendron advising Obama, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Waterville: School plan vote looms, Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel
• Oakland: SAD 47 faces painful choices, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• Gendron on education team to support Obama transition, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Ellsworth, 10 neighboring towns to vote on school reorganization, Bill Trotter, Bangor Daily News
• Towns to vote on Katahdin regional school plan, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• SAD 44 acknowledges receipt of consolidation plan, Alison Aloisio, Bethel Citizen
• Few candidates file for Regional School Unit 13 board, Shlomit Auciello, Herald Gazette
• [RSU 1, Georgetown, Arrowsic] Mediation suggested for tuition rate stalemate, Seth Koenig, Times Record
• Former IBM chief's education reform ideas, Stephen Bowen, Maine Heritage Policy Center

December 4

• Acton to consolidate with Wells-Ogunquit school system, Lorraine Yeaton, Foster's Democrat
• It's time to think outside the box for our schools, Editorial, Kennebec Journal
• [Ellsworth, Franklin, Gouldsboro, Sorrento, Steuben, Sullivan, Winter Harbor, Eastbrook, Hancock, Lamoine, Mariaville, Otis, Waltham] School Consolidation Plan Goes to the Voters Tuesday, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• Consolidation Can Be a Positive Experience, William C. Shuttleworth, Ellsworth American
• Debating School Consolidation, Bill Webster, Ellsworth American
• School District Plan: A Pig in a Poke, Gordon Donaldson, Ellsworth American
• York schools must cut $133K, Jennifer Kennedy, York Weekly
• [New York looks toward Maine for lessons] New York’s budget woes may force school mergers, Justin Head, Hormel NY Evening Tribune
• [Cumberland, North Yarmouth] SAD 51 approves alternative plan to reorganization, Sarah Trent, Forecaster
• [Freeport, Pownal, Durham] Candidates set for RSU board election, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Cape Elizabeth to re-examine privatization, Sarah Trent, Forecaster
• Choosing the supers, Matthew Stone, The Report Card, Kennebec Journal
• Superintendents of Schools -- Election or Reelection, Commissioner Gendron, letter to superintendents
• [MDI] Funding formula forum is tonight, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
• Tuition rate a matter of fairness, Charles Durfee, Times Record
• [Ellsworth, Aurora] RSU Plan Is Best Option, Dick Gray, Ellsworth American
• [Otis] Consolidation a Bad Choice, James Dunn, Ellsworth American

December 5

• Fundamental fairness, Editorial, Mount Desert Islander
• [Bar Harbor] School board approves $5.3 million budget, Dick Broom, Bar Harbor Times
• Mount Desert insists on formula change, Laurie Schreiber, Bar Harbor Times
• [Western Foothills School District] 15 candidates seek seats in new school district, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• Stonington, Deer Isle urged to kill school proposal, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• [MD, VA, National] Strapped Schools May Boost Class Sizes, Maria Glod, Washington Post
• [Guilford, Sangerville, Abbot, Parkman, Wellington, Cambridge, Dexter, Garland, Exeter, Ripley, Willimantic, Harmony] State OKs SAD 4, 46 plan, Diana Bowley, Bangor Daily News
• Table of Reorganized Districts, MDIschools.net (12/05)
• Map of Reorganized Districts, MDIschools.net (12/05)
• Summary of Alternative and Reorganization Plans, DoE (12/04/2008)
• [Arizona looks toward Maine for lessons] School redistricting could make return to ballot, Betty Reid, Arizona Republic

December 6

• [Houlton] SAD 29 officials await next move on school plans, Jen Lynds, Bangor Daily News
• New school board election Jan. 27, Winslow Durgin, Sun Journal
• [Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls] Savings estimated for consolidation plan, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• Education leaders speak in tongues, write in code, Editorial, Kennebec Journal

December 7

• [Waterville, Winslow, Vassalboro] First hearing on school plan set for Tuesday, Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel

December 8

• Winslow Council to vote on schools, Joel Elliott, Morning Sentinel
• [Lee, Springfield, Webster Plt, Winn, Burlington, Edinburg, Enfield, Howland, Lowell, Maxfield, Passadumkeag, Chester, Lincoln, Mattawamkeag, Carroll Plt., Drew Plt., Lakeville, Macwahoc Plt., Reed Plt., Woodville, Lowell, Seboeis Plt.] State OKs northern Penobscot regional school unit, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• [Brewer, Dedham, Orrington, Holden, Eddington, Clifton, Aurora, Amherst, Great Pond, Osborn] Schools consider costs of not joining RSU 15, Nok-Noi Ricker, Bangor Daily News
• [Governor Baldacci] Facing the tough questions, Mike Woelflein, Bangor Metro
• Most likely to succeed, Malcolm Gladwell, New Yorker

December 9

• Rangeley, Bethel schools merger OK'd by state, Eileen M. Adams, Sun Journal
• We can't wait to 2016 to help our graduates learn the essentials, Ron Bancroft, Press Herald
• [Winslow] School board OKs referendum on consolidation plan, Joel Elliott, Morning Sentinel

December 10

• Orono sets date for vote on RSU, Jessica Bloch, Bangor Daily News
• Ellsworth region's reorganization vote totals, forum.MDIschools.net
• Ellsworth, 9 neighboring towns approve RSU, Rich Hewitt, Bangor Daily News
• Waterville: Path to school unity a thorny one, Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel
• [Saint John Valley] County schools weigh consolidation penalties, Julia Bayly, Bangor Daily News
• AOS plan defeated in Machias region, forum.MDIschools.net
• Hermon panel averse to proposed RSU, Abigail Curtis, Bangor Daily News
• [York] Declining enrollment a possibility for town hall?, Keith Drago, York Weekly
• [New York looks to Maine for lessons] Schools reflect on possible forced consolidation, Beth Young, Southampton Press
• 116 SAUs and counting..., forum.MDIschools.net
• Voters approve, reject consolidation plans, Matthew Stone, The Report Card, Kennebec Journal
• [from the Department of Honor'd Breaches] State agency merger effort fails, Noel K. Gallagher, Press Herald
• Rangeley school consolidation public meetings planned, Philip Richardson, Irregular

December 11

• Natural Resources Agency Consolidation At Standstill, Christopher Cousins, Ellsworth American
• Ellsworth, Union 92, 96 RSU Plan Is Approved, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• Blue Hill Board OKs Wording of School Consolidation Article, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• [Belfast] Seats on RSU board may be open, Jay Davis and Tanya Mitchell, Republican Journal
• Maine inks deal to offer regional test, Matthew Stone, The Report Card, Kennebec Journal
• Falmouth drafts school reorganization alternative, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• [Freeport] School Committee: Curtailment 'inequitable', Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• Freeport officials discuss economy, school reorganization, Amy Anderson, Forecaster
• [Topsham, Brunswick] School task force meets again to talk about sharing, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• [Boothbay region] CSD trustees discuss budget, building projects and consolidation vote, Lisa Kristoff, Boothbay Register

December 12

• Pledge issue is best decided by school board, Editorial, Press Herald
• Fewer tests for students, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Papers need to fathom local government before dismantling it, Geoff Herman, Kennebec Journal
• [MDI] Funding formula turnout light, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
• [* Fasten-seatbelt indicator light *] Baldacci, Gendron to announce significant multi-state partnership on high school education, DoE press release

December 13

• [Rhode Island looks to Maine for lessons] Lally says Assembly leery of local cuts, Liz Boardman, South County Independent
• [Machias region] Voters decisively reject school plan for central county, Chessie Johnson, Quoddy Tides

December 14

• Beware School 'Reformers', Alfie Kohn, The Nation
• Dropping out in Maine: No easy solutions, Colin Hickey, Kennebec Journal

December 15

• Maine joins regional student-testing group, Walter Griffin, Bangor Daily News
• Announcement Today! High School Hijinx!, Downeast Schoolhouse
• [Redefining High School, v.2009.0.0.1] Major Grant Supports New Four-State Partnership, DoE press release
• New England Secondary School Consortium
• NESSC Fact Sheet
• Great Schools Partnership
• Coalition of Essential Schools
• Maine, regional partners will look at redefining high school, Matthew Stone, The Report Card, Kennebec Journal
• [Vermont] Governor Announces Bold Multi-state Effort to Prepare Students across New England for Success in the 21st Century, Vermont Department of Education
• ...Mass., Conn. have been offered role, AP, Boston Globe
• New Initiative Aimed At Reducing High School Dropouts, A.J. Higgins, Maine Public Radio

December 16

• State joining school effort, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Maine, 3 states form education coalition, Bangor Daily News
• [Vermont] State announces $1M largesse in aid of schools, Peter Hirschfeld, Rutland Herald
• [Rhode Island] R.I., 3 other states share $1-million education grant, Providence Journal
• New England States Team Up on High Schools, Catherine Gewertz, Education Week
• Obama Picks Chicago's Schools Chief For Cabinet, Anne E. Kornblut and Philip Rucker, Washington Post
• Vassalboro: School issues to be aired tonight, Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel
• Obama: Duncan 'Doesn't Blink' on Tough Decisions, Alyson Klein, David J. Hoff and Catherine Gewertz, Education Week
• States Form Educational Consortium To Improve Secondary Education, Christopher Cousins, Ellsworth American
• Cuts in school funding setting up budget battle, Mal Leary, Bangor Daily News
• Camden-Rockport school board to discuss RES expansion, issuing resolve against reorganization, Lynda Clancy, Herald Gazette
• MEA To Be Replaced, Christopher Cousins, Ellsworth American

December 17

• Costs of consolidation handicap task force on natural resources, George Smith, Kennebec Journal
• [Vassalboro, Winslow, Waterville] School officials tout new proposal; voters to decide on alternative district structure Jan. 13, Larry Grard, Morning Sentinel
• [Mattawamkeag] Costs cited in bid to close Troutt School, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• Redefining High School videos, DoE
• Governor Baldacci, Commissioner Gendron
• Jim Morse, Superintendent SAD 47; Commissioner Gendron; Ann Weislander, State Board chair
• Mark Kostin, Great Schools Partnership
• [MDI] Funding formula letter in the mail, Corey Pickett, Bar Harbor Times
• [NCLBA in 21-cent Edu-bonics] DoE dishes the AMO on the HQTs in your LEA

December 18

• [NBCT] Researchers Don't Get It, Anthony Rebora, Ed Week
• Regional School Unit Has New Name, Interim Board, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American
• Blue Hill Selectmen Recommend "No" Vote on RSU Proposal, James Straub, Ellsworth American
• Principal: Nokomis exceeding state expectations, Sharon Kiley Mack, Bangor Daily News
• [Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel] Partial slate of candidates to run for new school district board, Laura Dolce, Portsmouth Herald
• [Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel] School districts to fight school budget cuts, Laura Dolce, Portsmouth Herald
• Budget cuts: York schools may need allies, Jennifer Kennedy, Portsmouth Herald
• [Falmouth] Board OKs, submits alternative school plan, Peggy Roberts, Forecaster
• [Topsham] Adaptability, efficiency urged for SAD 75, Alex Lear, Forecaster
• [Caribou, Caswell, Fort Fairfield, Limestone, New Sweden, Stockholm, Westmanland, Woodland] Caribou Schools reorganization information page

December 19

• [MDI HS] School funding change pushed, Oka Hutchins, Mount Desert Islander
• [Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls] Hearing lays out merger plan, Donna M. Perry, Sun Journal
• [Camden, Rockport, Appleton, Hope, Lincolnville] SAD 28 urges rejection of consolidation plan, Stephen Betts, Herald Gazette
• 124th Legislature's Education Committee members
• [Indiana looks to avoid Maine's missteps] Analysis available for school consolidation recommendation, Terry Spradlin, Center for Evaluation and Education Policy, Indiana University
• [MDI] Funding formula request riles school board members, Bar Harbor Times

December 21

• States in region forge education collaboration, Matthew Stone, Kennebec Journal
• Small changes eventually produce big tipping points, Charles Lawton, Sunday Telegram

December 24

• [Amherst, Aurora, Great Pond, Osborn, Dedham, Orrington, Clifton, Eddington, Holden, Brewer] Defiance Trumps Compliance: Consolidation Seen Costing, Not Saving, Tax Dollars, Cyndi Wood, Ellsworth American
• York School Committee hears somber message from Augusta, Jessey Taylor, York Weekly

December 25

• State ruling boosts Katahdin area school plan, Nok-Noi Ricker, Bangor Daily News

December 26

• [St. George, Rockland, Thomaston] Wilson challenges RSU 13 representation formula, Shlomit Auciello, Herald Gazette

December 28

• Lawyer: Repeal's success depends on date of vote, Larry Grard, Press Herald
• Regional assessment test will save Maine $1 million a year, Kelley Bouchard, Press Herald

December 29

• Agendas For Joint Standing Committees Set, Christopher Cousins, Ellsworth American
• Opinions differ on equitable local-education funding, Colin Hickey, Morning Sentinel
• Voters from Lubec to Jonesboro reject school reorganization plan 519-122, Will Tuell, Downeast Coastal Press (12/16-29 issue, not on-line)
• SAD 37/Union 103 planners go back to the drawing board: Alernative Organizational Structure may be considered, Nancy Beal, Downeast Coastal Press (12/16-29 issue, not on-line)

December 30

• Districts to air merger proposal, Doug Harlow, Morning Sentinel
• Hearings set for Highlands AOS, Diana Bowley, Bangor Daily News
• [Cheap? You say you want cheap?: Guilford already owns that bottom line] SAD 4 voters face unfair consolidation consequences, Paul Stearns, Bangor Daily News
• Schools’ new test cheaper for state, AP
• Caribou Schools Q&A on regionalization
• School Reorganization Status Update, Jeffrey Austin and Kate Dufour, Maine Townsman

December 31, 2008

• Medway official opposes regionalization plan, Nick Sambides Jr., Bangor Daily News
• Fort Kent panel OKs plan for SADs 10, 27, Julia Bayly, Bangor Daily News
• Toast to the MDI Regional School System, Brian Hubbell
• Jan. 12 Public Hearings on Proposed Rule Amendments to Chapter 131: The Maine Federal, State, and Local Accountability Standards, DoE informational letter
• Proposed rule changes
• [The Year in Review, Knox County] SADs 5, 50 join to become RSU 13, Shlomit Auciello, Herald Gazette
• [The Year in Review, York County] Year in Review: School consolidation law hits local districts, Laura Dolce, York County Coast Star
• Otis Weighs Alternatives To Joining RSU 24, Jacqueline Weaver, Ellsworth American