at this point i think Agusta should put this whole issur to bed. Geographicly we are to large a state and north of augusta to sparcely populated for this to do anything but cripple towns and the taxpayers. the only way any of this would have saved money would have been a 4 day wk. and i've never seen anything come out o agusta yet that has saved the taxpayers a dime. should have kept the liqure business baldy, and i'm not looking forward to what you will have brainstormed with the stimulous money. STOP HOLDING THE TAXPAYERS HOSTAGE PLEASE!!!

I'm for not charging the towns who didn't play ball, took their ball and went home to tell their mommy, that the other kids are being fair, IF the state will now reimburse all the towns that made good faith efforts to work on consolidation.

Bit see, it doesn't make sense and it doesn't make sense to change the rules again because little Johnny knew what the law was and has now thrown a temper tantrum because he can't get his way again!

Stop using the poor, small town excuse being beat up by the big bad state.

These towns are spoiled brats playing when it suits them and running home when they can't get along with the rest of the kids.

I agree with fredrogers and the fact that we need to consolidate our schools. There are fewer students but more faculty and especially administration than years ago. There is an assistant to an assistant in administration. Positions that are created through grant money are kept in place when the grant money expires. You have superintendants presenting this to the community. Do you think they will paint a pretty picture to help eliminate their job?? Some of these superindendants' salaries are four to five times the salaries of the teachers they are in charge of. They ask for $7,000. raises and get them, but tell their staff that times are hard and they all need to make sacrifices. True story in a very small district in the St. John Valley.

Partynut maybe you learn how to spell "Augusta." Then people might take your comments seriously!

I think that is is beyond ridiculous to fine schools that cannot consolidate. Many of these schools are doing it out of choice, but some don't have other towns to consolidate with or the other districts rejected their plans. I think that asking such rural schools to band together with towns that have their schools 30 minutes away from each other is a far stretched cry. Of course there are some towns that it is easier for, those in the more densely populates parts of our state. But to take away money from the schools because they cannot or will not consolidate is ludicrous. That is going to have the opposite effect on our schools who are trying to educate children with ever decreasing budgets. “It is profoundly wrong to penalize schools and taxpayers who tried to do the right thing. The law is flawed, and this bill will provide a remedy.” Consolidation in my opinion, was a bad idea from the start. At least not make in mandatory, but those schools that have a realistic advantage to consolidate can, and those that don't, should not be fined for not doing so.

I know an orphaned school system because the neighboring districts have performing schools. Personally, I don’t blame them, because who would want to team up with a failing school system. Unfortunately, that leaves a failing school system alone to figure things out and there is much needed help, in my opinion. So does that mean they will be helped by this too?

I still wonder how consolidating really saves anyone any money, especially when salaries now have to be altered, and transportation becomes a bigger cost, as schools are closed etc.

I do know how to spell it just choose not to . not only does it lack a u it lacks the fore the people also down there, am so tired of everyone doing their own ajenda down there and in washington also. and i'm sorry u feel that small towns are quote spoiled brats, RSU'S could have been better served by just condolitating the administrative offices , and there are other areas of pork barrel in the system also.

consolidation should have happened years ago...why fund all these small towns with a handful of kids...it only makes sense that it has to save money...and they should fine them right away not delay it....this process has been going on for a couple years now...where have these idiots been...they knew the consequences...I come from a small town that lost its school a few years ago...best thing that could have happened....were still reaping the benefits...