Senator McCormick 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 McCormick 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 Rosen Assistant Senate Republican Leader said, “I was proud to support the minority report amendment as the best way to deal with the Governor’s consolidation plans. It ensures that our schools will remain under the control of our local communities.”

Senator McCormick stated that, “It is important to maintain local control of schools and Senator Rayes amendment ensured that local communities would not lose their say in how their schools are run.”

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