By Gillian Graham
Staff Writer

Commissioner of Education Susan Gendron said she is confident Maine schools can maintain high-quality education by addressing budget shortfalls with rule changes and collaborations between school districts.
Gendron spoke to a group of about 50 educators, school board members and area residents Monday night at a forum hosted by Dayton, Old Orchard Beach and Saco’s RSU 23 Board of Directors at Old Orchard Beach High School. Representatives of nine school districts – including Biddeford, RSU 21 in the Kennebunk area, Scarborough, South Portland and Cape Elizabeth – attended the forum.
Gendron addressed concerns from superintendents and school board members about how to cope with a $38 million reduction in general purpose aid to school districts this year. If the economy does not improve, she said she anticipates schools statewide will lose $92 million in fiscal year 2010-2011 and $150 million in 2011-2012.
“We need to think about doing business differently,” she said. “I believe with very thoughtful and careful planning we will not jeopardize the quality of education in this state.”
Gendron said school districts should consider freezing teacher salaries, which has happened in state government and the private sector during the past year. With the smallest average class sizes in the country, Maine districts can also increase teacher-student ratios without limiting student achievement, she said.
A study of K-12 education showed “significant” variability in total spending per pupil across the state and suggested savings could be captured by reducing that variability, Gendron said. She said a state analysis also showed “considerable variation” in identification of special education students.
Gendron said the state and local school districts should look for ways collaborate to reduce special education costs. The department has also proposed new rules for special education that include beginning transitional planning for students at 16 instead of 14.
Gendron said the Department of Education will also propose language to waive the minimum expectation of money raised locally by school districts to avoid “shifting the burden” of budget cuts to local taxpayers.
The state also will look to the federal government for funds to offset declining budget revenues. Gendron said the department will apply this spring for the $4.35 billion Race to the Top grant funded by stimulus money to reward states implementing comprehensive school reform. Maine could receive $20 million to $75 million over four years.
Before applying for the grant, the legislature must approve statue changes to remove legal barriers, including a law that prevents the department from linking teacher performance to student test scores.
Gendron said the goal of Race to the Top is to make substantial gains in students’ achievement by improving high school graduation rates and narrowing achievement gaps.
School districts will be asked to provide input and sign a memo of understanding before the application is submitted, she said.
During the two-hour meeting, Gendron answered questions from educators and area residents.

RSU 21 Board of Education member Gayle Spofford asked if school districts could consider holding classes on fewer days or offering survey courses for large numbers of students.
Gendron said statue changes proposed to the legislature would allow districts more flexibility in planning the school calendar. She said students will have to attend school for the same number of hours, but it wouldn’t necessarily have to be in 175 days as currently required. Any classes with more than 30 students need state approval and plans will be considered within two weeks of being submitted to the Department of Education, she said.
RSU 21 Board of Education Chairman Maureen King said she heard rumors the state would not continue to pay its share of debt for school construction.
 “That is a real fear in our district,” she said, noting RSU 21 is paying for two buildings.
Gendron said the state will continue to pay its share of past construction projects.
Biddeford Superintendent Sarah-Jane Poli said she gathered “lots of good information” to bring back to the school district. She said it will take time to consider and apply ideas locally.
Connie Vandendries, a retired special education teacher from Saco, said school boards should make sure to listen to public opinion as they look at budget changes.
“The public really needs to be get involved with this,” she said.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.