And now, for something I know absolutely nothing about. Gov. Baldacci was in Presque Isle yesterday trying to sell his educational consolidation plan, which seems to have won him mixed reviews. The plan, as I understand it, involves reducing school administrative units from the current 290 down to just 26 units. The thought of eliminating redundant school administrators makes me tingle with excitement, particularly since the governor's staff claims they can realize $44 million in savings from the plan.
On the other hand, local control would appear to be a casualty of any such consolidation. It's my sense, and correct me if I'm wrong, that the plan would effectively disband municipal boards of education in favor of a more regional elected body which would oversee each of the 26 units. The same core proposal was floated in New Jersey over the past month or two (can't find a link), but the overwhelmingly hostile reaction forced Gov. Corzine and NJ Democrats to abandon the idea.
My view is that redundant school administration is a problem, but the most important cause of skyrocketing property taxes in Maine and New Jersey is health insurance costs. When these costs grow by 10 to 20 percent each year, and the public sector provides insurance to the majority of its employees, one way or another those costs will find their way into your property tax bill. Why do health insurance costs grow as much as they do every year? Now there's something to debate.
Thoughts on Baldacci's plan? Counterproposals? I'm all ears.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Views from across the political spectrum.
Contributors
Elephonk
