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Superintendent of Schools
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December 15, 2003
Dear Commissioner Gendron,
I write to you today out of concern for the students and citizens of SAD #4. After reading comments in the newspaper from Governor Baldacci, monitoring the situation in other areas of the state, and attending the informational session of the State Board of Education, I am fearful that the blanket use of data and trends might force our district into a consolidation that will prove to be more costly to us, both in terms of taxpayer dollars and progressive educational programming.
Our district is most noted for being a visionary pioneer in the area of technology. Indeed each student in grades 6-12 has a laptop computer. This, coupled with a state of the art computer network, excellent software, active ATM and ITV programs, and extensive staff development has allowed us to undergo a dramatic transformation in the way that students learn and teachers facilitate that process. This investment in technological infrastructure will allow us to deliver programs and instruction in an economical fashion now and in the future. Much of the speculation in cost savings through consolidation efforts is based on the idea that instruction will be delivered in traditional ways in the coming decades. The availability of technology must be an important consideration as we plan for the future.
There is more to the picture than wires and computers. For years the administration, school board, and citizens of the district have insisted on an excellent educational experience delivered at the lowest possible cost. Our high school has been heterogeneously grouped for some time, and our expectations and requirements for graduation are amongst the most rigorous in Maine. We made the decision to Leave No Child Behind before it became popular! We are currently using many of the practices that one might see in one of the charter schools that the state has recently chosen to support. While the state sees fit to clear the way for such schools, I hope that they can recognize, support and reward systems such as ours that are already succeeding with many of the same concepts and strategies that they hope to see from the charters.
A look at the handout used by David Silvernail will show that our secondary cost per pupil of $5082 dollars is the lowest in Maine. Recently, Piscataquis Community High School 11th graders finished 22nd out of 133 Maine High Schools, regardless of size or demographics, on MEA scores involving the 5 core areas of reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. That year SAD #4 spent $1.85 for every point of MEA production – the most efficient ratio in Maine.
While the economy of scale theory might appear to be obvious, a closer look into the particular situation of SAD #4 would certainly cause a person to see that quality educational services probably cannot be delivered in a more economical fashion. Without a close look, a person would assume that the districts in our region have large administrative staffs. This is simply not true. We do the work (an enormous percentage of which is administering unfunded state and federal mandates as they continually roll in) by having skeletal administrative teams of people that wear several hats, by asking teachers to do far and above what is normally expected, by having the community take an active roll in the schools, by working long hours, and by saying no to things that we cannot afford. I am extremely concerned when I read the governor quoted in the media as saying that consolidation, both municipal and in LEA’s, would result in monetary savings and that administrative costs could be swung over to the instructional side. I completely understand the thinking behind such comments but must insist that exact costs be projected before deciding on such a strategy. Our district has no curriculum coordinator, no Title I coordinator, and no NCLB officer. Our special services director serves as principal of two elementary schools with enrollments of 120 students each. Where many of our “wealthy cousins”, or those with inefficient LEA structures, would have five administrators – we have one! I have unpleasant visions of a large high school with levels of administration and bureaucracy that exist in other areas of Maine. Quite frankly, I am not sure that the good folks of SAD #4 could afford to “save money” by consolidating if it is going to cost so much to do it!
Another area of concern is with the demographic projection from the state planning office. While the forecast indicated that we would fall under the 750 mark in 2004 for K-12 enrollment, the actual total today is 861 – essentially unchanged since 1999. It is interesting to note that our neighbors in SAD #46 are experiencing steady growth, despite a major business closing its doors recently. While it is apparent from the data that our enrollment will drop somewhat in the coming years, it might not do so at the rate and extent that the models indicate; it hasn’t yet. Perhaps the events of 9/11/01 have had an effect on this, it could be that efforts by the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council are having a positive effect on the region. Maybe the fishing is improving and the black flies are not as thick! The bottom line is that the students are walking through the doors.
According to the 1896 School Report of the State of Maine there were forty-nine schools in the six towns that now make up SAD #4. With our recent closing of three elementary schools the number now stands at four. Should enrollments continue to decline there is still much room for internal consolidation – while maintaining one of the most, if not the most, efficient educational organizations in the state. I would hope that all of this hard work, the ingenious and creative approach to administering and funding programs, and the shear frugality of the people would not be lost due to compliance mandates to a policy like the one that determined the 300 student figure as being the cut off for decisions regarding high school construction or renovation project funding.
Our people have clearly demonstrated that they are willing to make the tough decisions and take action in order to provide quality while keeping taxes at a reasonable rate. Perhaps districts throughout the state, both large and small, and the legislature for that matter, could learn from our example.
Our board remains committed to exploring ways that we can work together regionally to economize in every possible area. If this involves consolidating with a neighboring district or districts in order to give the best opportunities for our students then we will make the right decision. It is imperative that this decision be made using real numbers in regard to program offerings, costs per student, and transportation schedules. I look forward to our meetings with Susan Corrente in the near future for the purpose of continuing these discussions.
Thank you for your time and for all of the hard work that you do in support of a high quality educational experience for each and every Maine youngster. If I can be of service in any way please do not hesitate to call.
Yours in Education,
Paul A. Stearns
Superintendent of Schools
cc: Susan Corrente
Patrick Phillips
SAD #4 Board of Directors
SAD #4 website
Jean Gulliver
John Baldacci
Paul Davis
Town Fathers – SAD # 4