05/13/10
School Board reconsiders Race to the Top participation as deadline nears
The School Board will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. on May 13, 2010 to reconsider its May 11 decision to refuse signing the Maine Department of Education's application for federal Race to the Top funds.
Approving a memorandum of understanding and "scope of work checklist" is required by the state Department of Education for local schools to participate in the competition for the federal funds, part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. A deadline of May 14 was given by the department, along with assurances that signing the memorandum would not oblige a local school to participate if Maine acquires the funds.
Nothing in the memorandum, however, indicated there was no obligation, and that is what led board members to unanimously turn down approval at their meeting May 11.
"I don't understand how anyone who reads this can say it's not binding," School Board Chairman Rebecca Millett said at the May 11 meeting. Other board members shared the concern, and suggested they would be more comfortable signing a document that included a termination clause.
A revised memorandum with a termination clause, drafted by Bruce Smith of Drummond-Woodsum, the school's attorney, will be presented for the board's consideration May 13.
Race to the Top awards will go to states have implemented "ambitious yet achievable plans" for school reform, according to the Maine Department of Education website. The state's deadline for applying for Race to the Top is June 1, and the number of systems submitting signed memorandums, and degree of support from school boards and teacher's organizations, strengthen Maine's chances.
If successful, Maine could be eligible for $75 million or more in federal funds, the website says. Hawkins said there is no estimate of how much Cape Elizabeth might receive, but that 50 percent would be earmarked for low-performing school systems and the rest available for higher performers. "On the other side of the coin, there is an enormous, enormous amount of work that needs to be done if it is accepted," Hawkins told the board.
Hawkins' presented the memorandum to the board May 11 with assurances from the state and from school attorneys that signing it and the scope of work would not commit the School Department to participate. But now he is less sure.
An e-mail from Anita Bernhardt of the state Department of Education, dated May 12, addressed the implications of signing the memorandum of understanding (MOU) : "Districts should understand that signing the MOU reflects more than a possible intention to participate," says the e-mail to the Cumberland County Superintendent's Association. "It is a good faith commitment. A district may withdraw later if unforeseen obstacles should arise. The state is required to report to the federal government on districts that drop out of the MOU and federal funding can be lost if it appears that district commitment is insufficient," it says.
"At this point I truly don't have a recommendation for the board," Hawkins said in a telephone interview May 13. He plans to present newest information to the board for their decision.
Hawkins, president of the Cumberland County Superintendent's Association, said that of eight systems represented in the association, six have signed the memorandum and two have not.
The board's special meeting will be held before the Town Council Finance Committees's workshop on the school budget. It is scheduled for the William H. Jordan conference room at Town Hall.
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