Senator Sherman 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 Sherman 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 Sherman stated that, “In rural areas the Governor’s plan does little to save money for the state, costs communities more money and takes away the control that our local communities have over their education systems. As vice chair of the rural caucus it was important to vote for local communities and to vote for local control that is why I am proud to support Senator Raye’s amendment.”

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