Many of Maine’s cities and towns have been through anger, denial and grief over school consolidation, but in Ogunquit an old grievance still undermines a long partnership with Wells. How else can you explain the town’s legislation seeking to withdraw from the Wells-Ogunquit Community School District?
Maine voters recently rejected a proposal to repeal school consolidation. Around the state, neighboring communities have set aside rivalries to work together to improve schools through regional collaboration.
But Ogunquit is raising the possibility it might withdraw from the school district. The threat is part of an emergency bill to reconsider the Wells-Ogunquit cost-sharing agreement, due to be heard by the Legislature in 2010.
In the nearly 30 years since Ogunquit separated from Wells, education costs have been a recurring concern. Cost-sharing is based on student populations and property values in the respective towns. As Ogunquit property values rise and the school-age population dwindles, its per-pupil costs are soaring, requiring periodic adjustment over the years.
According to Rep. Peter Bowman, D-Kittery, who introduced the legislation, Ogunquit’s costs today amount to nearly $80,000 per pupil.
Another adjustment may be needed, but the Legislature must weigh the impact on Wells taxpayers. The disparity being faced in Ogunquit is not due to any shift in Wells’ favor. It is driven by the immense wealth represented by Ogunquit taxable property.
The Legislature must also keep in mind relationships like Biddeford and Biddeford Pool, where the same dynamic is operating, but the communities are undivided. The Pool can’t petition the Legislature for cost-sharing relief ”“ unless it secedes from Biddeford. That’s a temptation that should be avoided.
One of the long-term strengths of consolidation may be a clearer recognition that children are a common resource worth an investment across town lines. The mathematics of student populations and property values are just one way of working out an equitable sharing arrangement.
There would certainly be other options for Ogunquit students if the community is permitted to withdraw from the Wells-Oqunquit School District. Ogunquit can afford to pay steep tuition bills to another district. But what would such a move mean for the school district, and the students it would leave behind?
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