Government at a glance

Board: Minot school committee

Met: Tuesday night

Sports participation

Issue: The roll of athletic competition in a well-rounded education

The scoop: The school committee accepted for review a new sportsmanship policy based on the Sports Done Right approach to integrating athletic competition into the overall development of the student athlete.

Next: The school committee will consider adopting the policy at its March meeting.

School’s water quality

Issue: Testing revealed that arsenic levels in the Minot Consolidated School’s drinking water may be marginally higher than standards allow.

The scoop: Arsenic is present in much of Maine’s groundwater. The school committee was informed that tests will continue to determine whether the arsenic levels exceed the year-long average allowed in a public drinking water supply. Plans are being formulated to reduce arsenic levels if they are shown to exceed standards.

School consolidation

Issue: Whether Gov. John Baldacci’s plan to save money by consolidating Maine’s 152 school districts into 26 is a wise move.

The scoop: The school committee voted to support the Maine School Management Association resolution opposing the governor’s plan. The committee supports reform that trims administrative costs and puts more money toward delivery of classroom learning but concluded the governor’s plan won’t deliver what it promises.