By Ward Peck

Editor

    As expected, the Cape Elizabeth School Board voted
unanimously Tuesday to keep Cape Elizabeth’s school system independent.

    The vote directs School Supt. Alan Hawkins to file a
notice of intent to submit to State Education Commissioner Susan
Gendron an alternative plan rather than consolidate with another nearby
district.

    Cape Elizabeth appears to fall within an exception
to the consolidation mandate that allows schools with populations
smaller than 2,500 students if the system contains at least three
schools deemed “high performing” by a 2007 Maine Education Policy
Institute report and the system as a whole spends no more than four
percent of per pupil expenditures on administration. The exception was
crafted in large part by State Rep. Cynthia Dill, (D-Cape Elizabeth).
Hawkins said six systems fall into the “high performing” category,
although it is unclear how many of those are also considered “highly
efficient.”

    “It will be interesting to see who applies for the exemption,” Hawkins said.

    The Commissioner could potentially decide Cape
Elizabeth’s intention does not comply with the law, at which point
Hawkins said the board would appeal to Dill to advocate for the plan.

    “We meet the letter of the law,” Hawkins said. “We are in compliance.”

    If the Commissioner decides the intention dies
comply, the next step in the process is for the school department to
draft the alternative plan itself.

    Referring to an on-line survey the school system
placed on its website, Hawkins said the majority of respondents want
school administrators to find cost saving by sharing services with
other districts. Hawkins said such cost savings will be part of any
alternative plan.

    Those plans must be submitted by Dec. 1. If approved
the new plan could go into effect by the next budget cycle, which would
require voters to approve a school budget.

    The consolidation law also allows districts to wait
one year. Hawkins said once a plan is accepted, the school board will
then decide when to adopt it.