School column was flawed

This is in response to Bryan Dench's column against school district consolidation. (Oct. 25)

Maine has 290 school districts — too many for the student population. Since Mr. Dench is a lawyer for many of those school districts, it's not surprising that he wants to return to this expensive, outdated system.

What's surprising is that he uses faulty information to support his opinion.

Taxpayers will lose as much as $30 million a year unless Question 3 is rejected. Contrary to Dench's claim, 85 percent of Maine students are presently in school districts in compliance with the law. In just four months, there have been notable improvements in educational opportunities for students — and significant savings.

For instance, in Dixfield, Mexico, Rumford and seven other towns in the western foothills, school district consolidation saved $600,000 just by combining administrative offices.

It's possible they will save money on their legal bills, too.

Returning to the old, inefficient system of 290 school districts, with the shrinking school population, is a big step backward. It does nothing for the students, and the public can't afford it.

The voluntary approach to school district consolidation that Dench suggests hasn't worked. Incentives have been available, but they've been largely ignored.

As the Sun Journal noted, the long-term goals of consolidation are more valid and important today than when the law was passed two years ago. We shouldn't take money out of classrooms to pay for bureaucracy that isn't needed. It costs too much and hurts the schools.

Newell Augur, Brunswick

Campaign Manager, No on 3