Title

"Cover Story" piece and fourth in a series on education with a comprehensive ana

Authors

Cindy Davis

Source

Maine Times

Date

5-18-2000

Pages

4-5, 7-9, 1

Abstract

"Cover Story" piece and fourth in a series on education with a comprehensive analysis of the prospects of Maine's small schools. Educational experts think some schools might be too small to be effective, but townspeople defend their local institutions. Duke Albanese, the state commissioner of education,said last week that he hopes the next session of the Legislature will provide incentives, including subsidies, to hasten consolidation of non-classroom services in public schools. Albanese said the approach should be like the Sinclair Act, adopted by the Legislature in 1957, which created school administrative districts and helped construct regional high schools. Deputy Commissioner Judy Lucarelli said there is no state policy that would lead to consolidating small elementary schools in favor of larger regional schools, but a number of trends point in that direction. About 16 percent of Maine's 723 public schools have fewer than 100 students, and more than a third have 200 or less. Elementary schools in Maine average 262 students, compared to 483 nationally. With a related article about a Maine Times poll that shows strong support for community schools.

Subjects

Education, Schools Centralization

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