The school district consolidation proposal contained
in the state’s biennial budget will be accompanied by a sigh of relief
among many people in the communities of South Portland and Cape
Elizabeth.

    Thanks to the hard work of many people interested in
maintaining Cape Elizabeth's unique and efficient town and school
partnership, the legislation contains a "if it ain't broke, don't fix
it" provision.

    The fact that only five school districts will
qualify for this exemption shows just how broken the educational system
in Maine is.

    And because Cape Elizabeth doesn't have to
consolidate their school district, that means South Portland won't have
to consolidate theirs. The law contains provisions that would penalize
otherwise exempt districts for not consolidating if their neighbor has
no one else to partner with.

    As a result of this exemption, interested parties in
the two communities can sit back and watch others fight it out and
wonder what if?

    At least for a while. There will likely be cuts to
both districts already paltry state subsidies. But how much will be an
open question for at least a year, maybe more (this year's subsidies
had not yet been finalized as of press time, well after both districts
budgets passed with assumptions rather than actual numbers).

    But that is not today's problem. Those who care
about our schools deserve a break, just in time for
summer.                 
–Ward Peck