Here’s an interesting turn of events.
Some of our esteemed solons, including Justin Alfond of Portland (we keep running into that name!), are suggesting that we dump the present school budget approval process.
Read about it in this morning’s Kennebec Journal here.
“Money” (pardon) quote:
Three lawmakers on the Education Committee have recently suggested eliminating the two-step school-budget approval process, according to committee e-mails the Kennebec Journal recently obtained under the Maine Freedom of Access Act. A number of school superintendents also suggested the move at a budget strategy session held in Augusta in late August.
“I’ve heard over and over from superintendents and school board members that it’s a redundant process that costs time and money. And, quite frankly, people don’t show up,” said Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, the Education Committee’s Senate chairman.
The 2007 school-district consolidation law put in place a two-step budget approval process requiring school districts to let voters sign off on budgets at town-meeting style gatherings and later by referendum. Districts must repeat the process until voters OK a budget.
They’d like to eliminate the present process and substitute something different to save money. That ought to prick up your ears!
We certainly don’t object to looking at the process again.
But to fiddle with it solely — they say — to save money?
We well know that representative government is expensive (hoo boy!), but tell us, Mr. Efficiency Man, what alternative would you suggest?
(We’re reminded, again and again, that elections have consequences.)