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<DIV>Here are the sample talking points for island schools that we may use to
stimulate thinking on "talking points" we may develop for YRH use.
MG</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">2/1/07 Sample Education
Hearing Talking Points:</SPAN></B><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">§<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Island Schools Require Unique
Solutions!<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">§<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">We are encouraged that Governor Baldacci and other
legislators are serious about reducing the state\u2019s property tax burden. No one
understands the need to achieve tax relief better than island communities, some
of which have seen their property taxes triple during the past few
years.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">§<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The proposed
plans school consolidation plans will have the effect of dismantling island
schools and, by doing so, will dismantle the very communities that have come to
define Maine\u2019s coastal heritage as \u201cthe way life should
be.\u201d<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">§<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">The public comment process
seems like more of an exercise than a truly democratic process. The projected
savings from the Governor\u2019s plan has already been factored into the state\u2019s
budget. There is very little real opportunity for public input on this flawed
plan.</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">§<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Local governance is critical to island school survival.
Island Schools are different than mainland schools, and different from one
another. It is hard to imagine a \u201ccookie cutter\u201d governance approach such as
that proposed by the governor that would work for these very different schools.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">§<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">This plan will take away
local control from island schools. Robbing island communities\u2014parents, teachers,
students, and town governments\u2014of their voice in school governance will
effectively dismantle the role of island schools as a vital part of island
community life.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">§<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">If governance of the new
districts is based on population, island voices would be entirely lost in the
new super-districts. For example, the mainland population of the <st1:City
w:st="on">Cumberland</st1:City> super-district is 400 times larger than that of
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Chebeague</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Island</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. The school board
would need 400 members to justify one member from Chebeague. Effectively, this
plan writes off island schools\u2014and the communities they serve\u2014as irrelevant.<BR
style="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: always" clear=all><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Possible discussion points
for public hearing testimony </SPAN></B><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT size=3>(these are the things<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>suggested by participants in the January
26 brainstorming meeting in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Rockland</st1:place></st1:City>):<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">While each island school is different, these schools
share a number of characteristics:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=square>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Geographic isolation\u2014</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">you cannot get to an island without a
boat.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Multi</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">-<B>graded
classrooms</B><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Heavy community investment in the
school</SPAN></B><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">\u2014island 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.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Island schools make the most of every
dollar, </SPAN></B><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">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).<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Island schools individualize and
differentiate instruction</SPAN></B><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">,
allowing each child to receive the most appropriate education for his or her
needs.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Island schools are important providers of
adult education </SPAN></B><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">to
community members.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Island schools are community cultural
centers </SPAN></B><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">whose buildings
are used more efficiently than most mainland schools\u2014for meetings, community
suppers, and a host of other activities.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Island schools provide a safe and secure
environment for kids </SPAN></B><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">that
encourages new families to move to island communities\u2014thereby strengthening
those communities.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></LI></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">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:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=square>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Bringing <B>private investments and grants </B>to
improve island education<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Offering <B>professional development opportunities
</B>for island teachers through such programs as the Island Teachers
Conference<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Sharing the expense of <B>inter-island arts
programming</B><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Creating opportunities for <B>inter-island physical
education programming</B> such as sports tournaments, track and field,
etc.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><FONT
size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Sharing library resources</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"> with other
islands<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Providing <B>transitional programming for students
</B>transferring from island to mainland
schools<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Providing <B>college readiness and aspirations
</B>programming for students graduating from island schools to attend college
on the mainland. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Other points:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Island Schools function with part time administrations \u2013
with superintendent support from 1 day per month to 3 days per
month<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Island</SPAN></st1:PlaceType><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">School</st1:PlaceType></SPAN></st1:place><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"> Board do more than just attend meetings \u2013
they act as the school nurses, physical education teachers, curriculum
consultants and much more<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>There are
approximately 500 island students attending island
schools</FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>