Education in the KEYS Towns

Kittery, Eliot, York, South Berwick

Community Forum

November 13, 2007

 

Feedback Form Responses

 

1.       Regarding the current school consolidation law, have officials answered your questions and responded to your comments?  What do you still want to know?

 

á          No - IÕve learned tonight that this law was passed without due diligence.  Furthermore, questions were not adequately answered (except that it will not save $), and there seems not to be a 5-10 year model.

á          Show us the money/incentives!

á          No - As a Kittery resident, what penalty do we face for efforts to consolidate?

á          Some definite accounting of real financial $ effects --  real projection of 5-10 year outcomes.

á          Yes Ð As much as is known.  Unsettling how many questions do not have answers.

á          I want to know more about cost savings to tax payers.

á          How can I trust the department of education again when they propose cuts to education?

á          Yes Ð New to the community, IÕm still learning.  This session has committed me to the process.

á          How much will it cost?  Will education in Maine be better after the law is implemented?

á          N.A. Ð I am a Òlocal officialÓ.

á          WhereÕs $Õs to merge?

 

2.  Does the current law support your vision of good education for the people of our region?

 

á          No

á          No Ð This is not about kids, but about funding for a State deficit from over spending.

á          No Ð There is nothing about this law that discusses good education; only cost savings and we will not see cost savings.

á          It does not Ð We havenÕt begun to talk about the education of children.

á          No

á          I gather that it does not have to do with education but money.

á          Not necessarily.

á          Yes Ð Maintain quality, decrease costs.

á          No Ð Not about our kids

 

3.  Does the current law support your vision for affordable taxes in our region?

 

á          No

á          Consolidation where available can work, but we need additional input and thought.

á          No Ð We will not save.

á          No

á          No

á          Good schools cost money.  The investment in public education is worth it.

á          Unlikely

á          Yes Ð We need to find ways to cut public sector spending to reduce taxes.

 

4.  Next steps:  Do you want additional citizen forums on education in our region?  What would the content be?  (For example, would it be a wider conversation about education in our region?  A more specific conversation about elements of education?)

 

á          Forum Ð Bring in expert on magnet schools.

á          Not unless the State is willing to provide the $Õs.

á          Wider conversation about education in our region; more specific conversation about elements of education.

á          DonÕt know.  Unfortunately, the conversation has been usurped by this poorly drawn law.

á          We should now pause and see the result of the legislative process.

á          Not without $Õs.

á          I am committed to contributing my time and energy to whatever issue is dedicated to public education.

á          Only if there is something new to be said.

á          Have an additional citizen forum in early February.

 

5.  Regarding the process that has been used for these forums:  What did you like?  What could have been done better?

 

á          This was the only forum IÕve been able to attend.  Good leadership and participation.

á          Learning experience for numerous communities.

á          Excellent venue

á          Efficient, respectful, moved along.

á          The exchange of ideas.  We need more communication.

á          Great process

á          The forum is excellent.  IÕm proud to be a part of it.

á          The openness and exchange of ideas.  Diane helped keep people civil.

á          Excellent Ð more people Ð respect for participants

 

6.   Other comments?

 

á          IÕm surprised that no one recommends or wants this change, and that it was not decided on sound educational principles.

á          Thank you for your efforts.

á          Thank you!

á          Is it in my interest as a citizen of my town to foster improved educational opportunities for students in Aroostook County, or Washington County, or Old Orchard Beach or Kittery?  Yes Ð the more students in these places who are better prepared for college helps my town and my state to generate greater personal growth and professional success.  People must realize that parochial interests are not the only interests that matter in my locality.