AUBURN – Gov. John E. Baldacci has named Sen. Neria R. Douglass, D-Auburn, to the Task Force to Create a Seamless Pre-Kindergarten through Sixteenth Grade Education System.

Baldacci has asked members to design a plan that better connects all levels of education.

“This is a great opportunity for us to really address one of the biggest problems in our state: encouraging students to go on to college,” Douglass said.

“Maine has one of the highest high school graduation rates in the country, but we still need to do more to make all opportunities available to our students from day one,” she said.

The panel will submit a final report to the governor by Jan. 15, 2005.