Usually periods of calm are harbingers of maelstrom, but Gov. John Baldacci’s contentious school consolidation plan, the “Local Schools, Regional Solutions” initiative, is apparently an exception.

A tempest raged inside the Augusta Civic Center on Monday, during the lengthy public hearing about consolidation held by the Legislature’s Education and Appropriations committees.

(Weather aside, Sen. Peter Mills also produced a fine analogy during the hearing. He was quoted as crediting the governor for “kicking the chicken coop as hard as I’ve ever seen it kicked,” and, “Where those hens will come to roost remains to be seen.”)

Over the next few weeks, these two key legislative committees will review the meticulous inner workings of the governor’s plan, the Maine Municipal Association/Maine Education Association coalition plan, the Maine Children’s Alliance plan, the State Board of Education plan, and others.

None should survive the review intact; the committees’ work, however, should produce a proposal that reflects the shared goals of each initiative: preservation of educational quality, while thoughtfully, and potently, reducing inefficiencies inherent in the state’s sprawling school administrative network.

It will not be popular. There’s a likely reason Gov. Baldacci neglected to start this consolidation debate during the 2006 campaign: it could have cost him re-election, by riling a potent voting bloc – the educational community – already embroiled in a divisive campaign with the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

Introducing LSRS last year could have meant introducing Mainers to Gov. Chandler Woodcock or Gov. Barbara Merrill this year, instead of Gov. Baldacci ascending into the enviable political position as a powerful incumbent entering his final term, with his party occupying the legislative majority.

This is the formula for progress, which highlights the criticalness of the upcoming assessment by lawmakers on consolidation. It’s arguable that the Legislature has never had the combination of political will, insightful analyses, and nonpartisan support – hello, Brookings – with which to develop such a sweeping, and needed, reform bill.

To proffer another weather cliché: This is a “perfect storm,” and an overdue chance to address chronic criticisms about Maine’s educational administration and unyoke taxpayers from crippling burden.

No single plan, as presented, can likely do both, but a reasoned compromise cobbled from their combined assets has incredible potential.

The debate, so far, has revealed dichotomy on consolidation. Some believe it will close rural schools, or create unmanageable mega-districts. Some say it will improve classroom results or cripple educational quality. Many believe it will reduce taxes; others bemoan the relinquishing of “local control.”

The common characteristic, it seems, is the impact of consolidation suffers from a lack of accurate predictability.

Hmm. Just like the weather.