Senator Gooley Supports Local Control of Schools in Late Night Vote

For Immediate Release

February 12, 2008

Augusta – Late Tuesday afternoon the State Senate voted on changing the Education Reform Bill. Senator Gooley believes that local control of education is vital to maintaining the quality of education in Maine.

The Minority Report amendment of the education bill, as introduced by Senator Raye, allowed individual districts to remain in place, and continue to approve their own budgets and retain ownership of their own facilities. It also provides for the creation of Union School Associations as alternatives to RSU’s..

Senator Gooley stated that, “The minority report amendment ensures that local communities remain in charge of their schools. While the Governor’s consolidation plan removes local control without offering any financial benefit”

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