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June 9, 2009 Jay Finegan, 287-1445
Education Commissioner Agrees to ‘Stand Alone’ Status for SAD 44

Rep. Crockett Hails Move as ‘Breakthrough for Common Sense’

AUGUSTA – Education Commissioner Susan Gendron has agreed to “stand alone” status for SAD 44 under the school consolidation law, according to State Rep. Jarrod Crockett. The official agreement means that the SAD 44 schools in and around Bethel will retain the status quo, immune to any financial penalties and exempt from pressure to find a consolidation partner.

“This is the outcome we have been working to achieve,” said Rep. Crockett (R-Bethel). “The commissioner made it clear that the SAD 44 ‘donut hole’ was driven by the change in status of School Union 37, in the Rangeley area. That system was exempted from the consolidation mandate based on a bill that I and other legislators sponsored and which is now law.”

The decision on SAD 44 was reached at a June 9 meeting in the House Republican Office in the State House. Besides Rep. Crockett and Commissioner Gendron, those present included Rep. Sawin Millett (R-Waterford); Sen. Bruce Bryant (D-Oxford); Rep. Matt Peterson (D-Rumford); SAD 44 Superintendent Dave Murphy; and Dick Spencer, attorney for SAD 44.

“While we all were involved in bringing this to fruition, Rep. Millett worked hard behind the scenes to get us across the goal line,” said Rep. Crockett. “As a former education commissioner and former commissioner of finance, he understands the intricacies involved. He was indispensable to the process.”

“Having worked hard to meet the consolidation criteria, we believe that SAD 44 should be a donut hole,” said Rep. Peterson. “We appreciate the commissioner’s recognition of the district’s hard work and geographical challenges.”

“We appreciate that Commissioner Gendron listened to our concerns and found that the SAD 44 school board had done their due diligence in trying to comply with existing statutes,” said Sen. Bryant. “We are delighted that she has foregone any penalties and allowed SAD 44 to become a donut hole.”

SAD 44, with schools in Bethel, Andover and Bryant Pond, had tried unsuccessfully to find consolidation partners in neighboring areas. In one attempt, the communities of SAD 44 voted to consolidate with School Union 37, but Rangeley communities rejected the partnership.

“We certainly tried to make this work,” said Rep. Crockett. “The voters in the Bethel area played by the rules, but it just didn’t work out. I think the commissioner’s decision today was a breakthrough for common sense.”

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