We the undersigned citizens of Maine oppose any bill before the Maine Legislature that would force Maine communities to consolidate schools across town boundaries without local approval.

• Whether it is in the best interest of our communities and our children to consolidate our schools with those of neighboring communities
• The continued existence of our schools and who will own them
• How local funds may be raised and spent in support of local schools
• Who will teach our children, and
• How local schools will be administered and governed, and whether local school boards may continue to establish and carry out school policy.

• That our legislators vote against any bill that mandates statewide school consolidation or abolishes existing school districts and school boards.
• That the Legislature respect our historical right of local control over school budgets, school programs, and school policies.
• That state government work with us -- rather than against us -- in addressing rising education costs, while at the same time improving the quality of the education system in the State of Maine.

We believe we can become more efficient without sacrificing the important advantages provided by community-based schools, locally governed. We are eager to work with state assistance, but not mandates, to that end.