Maine Islands Coalition Minutes February 9, 2007

Attendees:
Rep. Leila Percy
Donna Damon, Chebeague, MIC elected representative
David Jermann, North Haven, MIC elected representative
Malcolm Donald, Cranberry Isles, MIC elected representative
Barbara Stainton, Cranberry Isles
Mark Greene, Long Island, MIC elected representative
Pete Anderson, Islesboro, MIC elected representative
Dave Platt, Island Institute
Beth Howe, Chebeague
Kathy Fiveash, Isle au Haut, MIC elected representative
Eric ? (please let me know who this is- I didn't catch his name)
Phil Whitney, Cranberry Isles
Barbara Meyers, Cranberry Isles
Carol White, Chebeague
Peter Lowe, Chebeague
Judith Jones, Maine Charter Schools
Scott Sell, Frenchboro Island Fellow
Marjorie Stratton, Vinalhaven, MIC elected representative, Co-Chair of MIC
Kathy Warren, Vinalhaven School
Rob Snyder, Island Institute
Anne Bardaglio, Matinicus Island Fellow
Rob Benson, Maine Seacoast Mission
Eva Murray, Matinicus, MIC elected representative
Alden Finney, Great Diamond Island
Betsy Weber, Great Diamond Island, MIC elected representative
Tom Marx, North Haven Community School Superintendent
David Steckler, North Haven Island Fellow
Sarah Curran, Peaks Island Fellow
Chris Wolff, Island Institute
Geoff Herman, Maine Municipal Association
Mike Moore, Maine Public Spending Research Group
George Joseph, Vinalhaven School Superintendent
Barney Hallowell, North Haven Community School Principal
Barbara Hoppin, Peaks Island
Chris Hoppin, Peaks Island
Sen. Dana Dow
Kelly Hasson, Peaks Island, Principal
Bruce Ives, Monhegan Island Superintendent
Pat Lundholm, Vinalhaven
Heather Reidy, Vinalhaven
Kathy Iannicelli, Monhegan

Introductions:
Roger Berle convened the meeting. Susan Gendron could not attend this meeting. Carol White met with Susan on Tuesday, and Roger spoke with her as well. Susan understands island issue- she was involved in Chebeague secession talks. She had to attend the education committee meeting today. Susan said we need to come up with questions. Our task for today is to focus on an island strategy for school consolidation. Geographic isolation is the biggest challenge. Susan understands the need to sustain island schools for the sake of their community.

Carol White and Peter Lowe (attorney who helped with Chebeague's secession): they said we need to come up with ideas to propose to Susan- figure out what would work. Not necessarily consolidation, we need to look at options. Ways to improve educational programs. Carol was encouraged that DOE was willing to work with islanders. This is a unique opportunity. March 15- they will report out a bill, so we need to act now.

Peter Lowe: Susan Gendron is very plainly under siege. He says they recognize islands are unique and that the Governor's proposal will not go anywhere in the current form.

Ted Hoskins introduced the agenda for the day. The following questions should be answered by the end of the discussion:
- What are the consequences of consolidation?
- How are islands going to protect themselves?
- What works?
- How can we make it work?

There is a scheduled meeting with Susan Gendron next Thursday. Selectmen and school board chairs from each island will participate in meeting with Susan Gendron. People who are invited to speak with Susan are town managers, school board members, or people who are elected to speak for their island community. We need to come up with an island-wide approach, not individual approach- think beyond the islands.

Panelists:
Geoff Herman, Maine Municipal Association
Mike Moore, Maine Public Spending Research Group
Representative Leila Percy, Democrat, Phippsburg
George Joseph, Superintendent, Vinalhaven School
Barney Hallowell, Principal, North Haven Community School
Senator Dana Dow, Republican, District 20
Geoff Herman- Maine Municipal Association:

The Brookings Report was the biggest catalyst behind the Governor's proposal. He doesn't believe that the Governor's proposal is going to happen as it is currently written. It is an extreme proposal, and is created to make something happen. What will happen will be toothier than usual, with respect to money. It's meant to reduce expenditures of K-12 education, beginning in FY 09.

There are 3 ways we can go:
- BRAC Commission bill approach: LD 370- won't happen;
- Planning Alliance: a planning board will be created in each region to examine whole K-12 admin in that region and come up with a set of recommendations;
- Cooperative/collaborative approach: partial element of final solution- may be 501(c)(3)- separate quasi-governmental entity.
A planning alliance approach may be the way to go- find out who has similar needs/interests- create partnerships. If communities don't come up with their own plan, there may be a mandatory result from the DOE.

Mike Moore: Maine Public Spending Research Group (MPSRG):
MPSRG is 2 years old. They do not lobby or do advocacy. They conduct research. The conducted the studies for the Brookings Report. The State's General Fund budget is squeezed by K-12 education and Medicaid. If you take a pie chart approach, everything else is getting squeezed into a smaller percentage. Then you look at the reality that the State has lost 13,000 pupils, but added 4,000 staff. Why? It happens because it's
difficult to shed staff as classes shrink. The student to teacher ratio drops. Additional staff was result of higher mandates (No Child Left Behind, Maine State Learning Results, and special education. School capital spending has increased, also- spent over $1 billion.
If school districts were shrunk from roughly 298 districts to 34, that would have saved $1 out of $4. The Brookings Report did not want to advocate for school closings. The Brookings Report preferred a BRAC study approach. Scarborough is exactly the same
size as the average school district nationally. The cost/pupil is low, and this could be used as a measure.

George Joseph- Vinalhaven Superintendent:
George has been on VH for 9 years, and before that mostly in rural areas. He says this is about state policy and how it fits in with islands. $195/student is the national average- $204 and $306 for average student for administrative costs. There are two Maines- North and South, rural and the service center areas. How schools run in rural areas are different than how they run in service center. There is duplication of staff in service center areas. The principal role in rural schools takes on many functions and roles. MMA is concerned about rural Maine, which makes up large part of Maine. We also ought to be concerned about all rural areas- this is about tax policy and not restructuring schools. The agenda is
guised in savings- 2% savings, but we won't reach it. It's about who is controlling education in Maine. What's going to work for islands? The biggest fear is loss of local control. All islands are minimal receivers of state education money. Vinalhaven has a debt service. The received state aid for new school, but before that only received about  $60K/year.

Barney Hallowell, Principal, North Haven Community School
Barney has been on NH for 40 years. NH shared supt. with VH in past, but now have own Supt. They made the effort to work with VH, but it was difficult- different focus and concerns- finding common ground has been difficult. NH is currently raising money to build a new school. They are raising funds on island and through town and are not receiving any money from the State. NH is one of the most expensive schools in the State, but is funded entirely locally with a tiny amount from the State. There is no advantage to go with others, and there is a fear they will be forced into a solution to accommodate policy that won't be good for kids or community.

Representative Leila Percy:
Leila has a passion for coastal and rural communities. She has worked closely with the Working Waterfront Coalition. She says it isn't about N and S, it's about service centers. We need to involve other stakeholders. We need to make connections with inland communities- go forward as coalition with others.

General Discussion
Something is going to happen, but it may be somewhat malleable- it will need to be signed by June 30, 2007, but is open in respect to local governance.

A big concern is loss of local control. For some schools, it may make sense to partner with local mainland schools (Rockland for Vinalhaven), as opposed to Vinalhaven partnering with Peaks, for instance. Perhaps islands could form their own SAD.

It may be strategic not to present solutions. While a lot of solutions are out there, we don't want to paint a box we don't understand.

There is an expectation of cost savings in urban/suburban schools vs. rural schools. Would they expect to see biggest savings in rural or urban/suburban? They may need 2 approaches- use aggressive approach for urban/suburban, and a graduated approach for rural areas.

Mike Moore said there is going to be variability no matter what you do- it's not a function of demography or geographic isolation. Can we set a target that can get districts to be efficient as possible- take formulaic approach? This is not possible for isolated schools.

There is recognition that island schools don't bring in a lot of cash and there is concern about decline in population. Is this driving change- inefficiency of multiple schools?

Kathy Fiveash: If island schools became private schools, what is the state's obligation when kids go on to high school, or special needs students.

Dana Dow: He said the Governor's proposal may be leaving the islands out, and any isolated towns- impossible to do the things we do Waldoboro to Augusta that you do on Vinalhaven...

Geoff Herman: you can play the low receiver issue card if you want, but the issue is overall tax burden- not just who pays, but overall revenue. It's not quite enough to say we're low receivers. We need to get to positives- what kind of collaborative structures may work- how to collaborate as islands and/or mainland regions- rural isolated districts spend a lot on contracted services- legal structure to be employer for specialist who can be shared- IT, HR, professional development- does Supt. Wear 15 hats. Create 501c3-

Eva Murray- only thing that counts is saving money- in our schools, we've made the decision that school is worth it. Sharing resources is difficult to share inexpensively.

Exemption- what do you want- define this term yourselves- it may be island school district- impractical. We should be making sounds of cooperation- Donna and Carol did a great job with secession bill- made compelling case of local control- could make same
compelling case?

Leila: this current plan is a reaction to the public outcry for property tax relief- TABOR.

Dana Dow- justification- Islesboro, NH, VH, Monhegan, Matinicus- ideas that are common to all, but each island is unique- fragile- on knife edge- show uniqueness of each island. Costs more to live on islands. Need property tax relief- county taxes- shouldn't pay the same on mainland when you don't receive services- education- stress why island life is important. Young families are so important to islands- why it's important for state
of Maine. Looked at formulation- conclusions are political, but didn't start that way. Geoff Herman: exemption- one of the things- define terms- when he hears exemption- it means- what is the optimum size of a school district- 2,000, 3,500, Maine different- 1,200 students- each school unit should not be less than 1,200. Exemption- would not be in mix with school districts being 1,200- just exempt from minimum school size.

Geoff: Commissioner wants to reduce # of school boards- more efficiency. She feels that small school boards are contributing to bad education- controlling curriculumproliferation of small school boards is significantly adversely affecting education.

Kathy Fiveash: We need to make sure that the Commissioner understands the difference between islands- that schools need to exist for survival of communities. We don't have a choice. If there is no school, people move off the island. We need to have a school to
accommodate young kids, or islands won't have young families.

Donna: should we form a Maine Islands School Coalition- committee would have representatives from all islands, collaborating with non-profits- sharing payroll, purchasing, specialists, book-keeping. Kathy Warren will put numbers together- supt.'s time vs. # of students

Carol- tax saving and consolidation- March 15- there will be a plan- asking for extra time won't work. We do need to come up with a proposal- collaborate on special ed- share Portland's Special Ed, etc.

Leila: after drafting language, contact your local legislators to let them know. How many schools are used for other functions besides school?

Rob Benson: community viability- schools as employers- MDI- would put people out of work.

Kathy Anicelli: one page description/diagram- # students, % supt., % bookkeeper- any paid staff..

Rob Snyder: discussion prior to Monday's meeting- what makes islands unique? Geographic isolation, mulit-age classroom, community investment, make use of dollars, adult education, community centers, get list from Rob... Island schools require unique solutions, Pete Anderson: like to gripe about small amount of $ we get from state, but if allowed a choice of not taking it, or taking it and homogenizing, we'd gladly give up $ from
Augusta.

Geoff: the word "coalition" is mostly used for advocacy groups- use collaborative or cooperative. We need our schools- commissioner has heard that over and over- plan doesn't close schools- legal structure for taking responsibility and results- she'll want to know results- quantifiable- don't mention job loss- it could be sucked up with attritioncan absorb it.

Mike Moore: aware of being outsider- we're not going to struggle with this shared district thing, and they are not rural, underperforming schools- we are successful and taking very little money- we'll make you look good. The only thing we want from you is to keep these schools open unless islands want schools to close.

Rob Snyder: will work with Kathy Warren to generate statistics. Community reps meet early- before meeting with Susan Gendron- to figure out how to collaborate- pull out messages from notes that resonate. Hear her as well, and then move forward.

Donna- MIC reps will go back to communities and get feedback

Motion: The MIC will work with the DOE to ensure the preservation and protection of  our schools and communities. Amend motion: bullet points will be easier to absorb.
- We are geographically isolated
- We will continue to collaborate
- We are high performing schools and communities
- Changes in governance need to be ratified by those affected by the change
- Sustain viable year-round communities

Possible discussion points for public hearing testimony (these are things suggested by participants in the January 26 brainstorming meeting in Rockland):

While each island school is different, these schools share a number of characteristics:
- Geographic isolation-you cannot get to an island without a boat.
- Multi-graded classrooms
- Heavy community investment in the school-island communities know how important their schools are to community sustainability, and many provide significant support for their schools beyond that which is provided by the state.
- Island schools make the most of every dollar, with minuscule administrations and staff who play multiple roles (from teaching in multi-level classrooms to driving the bus, to cleaning the floors, to doing the bookkeeping).
- Island schools individualize and differentiate instruction, allowing each child to receive the most appropriate education for his or her needs.
- Island schools are important providers of adult education to community members.
- Island schools are community cultural centers whose buildings are used more efficiently than most mainland schools-for meetings, community suppers, and a host of other activities.
- Island schools provide a safe and secure environment for kids that encourages new families to move to island communities-thereby strengthening thosecommunities.

Collaboration among island schools has enabled them to share knowledge and programs that enriches and strengthens individual schools, while allowing them to maintain their unique local character. Examples of collaboration include:
- Bringing private investments and grants to improve island education
- Offering professional development opportunities for island teachers through such programs as the Island Teachers Conference
- Sharing the expense of inter-island arts programming
- Creating opportunities for inter-island physical education programming such as sports tournaments, track and field, etc.
- Sharing library resources with other islands
- Providing transitional programming for students transferring from island to mainland schools
- Providing college readiness and aspirations programming for studentsgraduating from island schools to attend college on the mainland.

Islands Coalition Topics- afternoon session
Who should attend the meeting with Susan Gendron? Should they be elected officialsschool board member, superintendent, power base in community, selectmen- if municipality, selectman. Only Roger as elected Chair should attend the meeting on behalf of the MIC. Invitation: Hannah said Susan would meet with group- having 50 people meet with her won't be effective- George Joseph said elected reps should attend
the meeting. MIC members should bring elected officials with them. Group should meet beforehand to hammer out a strategy. Only have 1 person speaking on behalf of each island.

This is the last meeting of the MIC in its first term - 3 years - each person needs to go back to their islands and get re-upped or get someone else to be elected as an MIC rep.

How are people elected? Selectmen could run ad in local paper, or website, e-mail, application, board of selectmen- get something in writing for reappointment- once reps are established, they should "draw straws" to determine 3-year terms to ensure that there isn't a mass resignation of officials at the end of each 3-year term.

MIC budget- costs for maintaining organization- $100/island from each island. Roger will send an invoice to each island.

Coalition for Coastal Workforce Housing Updates from Chris Wolff, Community Development Director at the Island Institute, and Co-Chair of the Coalition:

The Coalition for Coastal Workforce Housing is inviting other affordable housing groups and individuals concerned about Maine's lack of affordable housing to join us for an event at the State House in Augusta. We will be setting up information tables in support of affordable housing legislation in the Hall of Flags on Tuesday, February 27th, from 1-4 PM. We are hoping to get a large showing of support from individuals and groups who
are concerned about the access to affordable housing in Maine. There were over 50 bill titles submitted for the current legislature concerning affordable housing- indicative of the great desire to address this critical need in the State. At this time, several organizations will be setting up informational materials, and hopefully encouraging their constituents to attend the event. I will be contacting each legislator who has submitted
affordable housing bills, with the hope that they will spread the word to their colleagues to come down and meet us. I will be working with our Communications Director to get media attention around the event, and, perhaps get the Governor to say a few words.

It will be very important to get a large showing of support from our island and coastal contacts. If you know of a group or individuals who should be invited, please let me know, or feel free to pass along this e-mail. At this time, the following organizations and groups will have a table at the event: Coalition for Coastal Workforce Housing, Coastal Enterprises, Inc., Genesis Community Loan Fund, Working Waterfront Coalition, the Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast, and, Maine People's Alliance. We have space for up to 12 tables, so please let me know if your organization would like to reserve a space. We are also asking other organizations to contribute toward food costs for the event. I will provide this information if you are interested in a space.

We are tracking the following legislation:

LD 25: An Act to Change the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission's Lot Size and Setback Requirements for Some Affordable Housing Lots on Coastal Islands. Sponsor: Rep. Jonathan McKane, Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

LD 288: An Act to Increase the State Share of the Homestead Exemption to 70%. Sponsor: Rep. Patrick Flood. Committee: Taxation

LD 80: An Act to Make Changes to the Maine Residents Property Tax Program. Sponsor: Rep. Jonathan McKane. Committee: Taxation

LD 179: An Act to Make Changes to the Maine Residents Property Tax Program. Sponsor: Sen. Nancy Sullivan. Committee: Taxation

LD 263: An Act to Reduce the Property Tax Burden. Sponsor: Rep. Anne Rand. Committee: Taxation

LD 501: An Act to Provide Relief to the Commuters on Casco Bay Islands. Sponsor: Rep. Boyd Marley. Committee: Appropriations and Financial Affairs

Working Waterfront Coalition Updates from Jen Litteral, Marine Programs Officer at
the Island Institute:

The working waterfront Coalition is tracking LD 450

The bill for Island Ferry Subsidies has yet to move from an LR to an LD yet which will
be written by Senator Damon.

Below are other LD's that I will keep an eye if support is needed.
LD 450: An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Support Maine's Working Waterfronts

Referred to the Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs .

Presented by Representative PINGREE of North Haven. Cosponsored by Senator DAMON of Hancock and Senators DOW of Lincoln, RAYE of Washington, Representatives EATON of Sullivan, EMERY of Cutler, MACDONALD of Boothbay, MIRAMANT of Camden, PERCY of Phippsburg, RECTOR of Thomaston.

LD 501: An Act To Provide Relief to the Commuters on Casco Bay Islands

This bill makes ongoing appropriations to the Casco Bay Island Transit District to
stabilize passenger, vehicle and freight rates and to make ferry transportation affordable
to year-round residents served by the transit district.

Referred to the Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs .

Presented by Representative MARLEY of Portland. Cosponsored by Senator STRIMLING of Cumberland and Representatives RAND of Portland, STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland.

LD 17: Resolve, To Transfer the Cliff Island Wharf from the City of Portland to the Department of Transportation

Referred to the Committee on Transportation .

Presented by Representative MARLEY of Portland.
CEI- Predatory Lending. Coastal Enterprises, Inc. has submitted legislation to regulate the practices of subprime lenders in Maine. Dana Dow is a sponsor on the bills submitted. CEI would like the MIC to be a collaborator on the bill. The MIC representatives voted to support CEI's bill.

Solid Waste: Eva Murray said it needs to happen from grassroots level. Monhegangetting waste off of island is the biggest challenge- only 1 private ferry to transport garbage. Goal- barges- shared? David Jermann- pay for truck ticket to take it off- don't need barge. Some islands don't have a car ferry. Cranberries- constant problemcontainers barged off is very expensive- got compactor- has gone off only 3 times in the
past year. Bags on Monhegan are $5-6- Islesboro- $2 in summer, $1 in winter.

Rob Benson: Computer parts- toxic waste- organization that can recycle parts and will dispose of things in proper way.

Town warrants and MIC articles: Islands will make sure there is an article about the MIC's accomplishments this past year in each town's warrant articles, and/or local paper.

Peaks Island Independence Committee: Marjorie Phyfe from Peaks Island asked that the MIC sign on in support of the legislation from the Peaks Island Independence Committee. Mark Greene said that Peaks has bill into legislature and has met all steps. Peaks voted 59-41 to secede. Donna Damon said that Cumberland was willing to support negotiations for Chebeague right from the beginning. Cumberland also was willing to
hold negotiations in private. No leadership from mainland community. Marjorie Stratton expressed concern about supporting effort. Mark stressed that Peaks has gone through the motions with the legislature and island vote.

Barbara and Chris Hoppin spoke on behalf of a no vote for the Peaks Island secession vote. They said that the original vote was muddied by the fact that people thought they would have a chance to continue the dialog, do research, and vote again. Mark Greene was passionate about stating that Peaks did receive a vote to secede, did follow the current legislative process, and MIC voted to support Chebeague's secession before Chebeague even voted, so we should support Peaks.

Kelly Hasson, Principal, Peaks and Cliff Island Schools, referenced a recent issue of Casco Bay's Island Times that reported on the secession voting differences between Chebeague and Peaks Island. She read from the Island Times that Peaks Island voted 393 to 290 to secede, while Chebeague voted 246 to 41 to secede. She stated that due to the much closer vote on Peaks Island, the Island institute consulted with its Board of Directors on a position for Peaks secession, and that the Board recommended that the Island Institute remain neutral - which it has. She urged the MIC to remain neutral as well.

MIC voted 6 for IIC, 1 against, and 1 abstaining to support IIC.

Next meeting- May 4th, 10-2, at Island Institute.

Meeting convened at 2:30 PM.