An Act To Clarify and Improve the Laws Governing the Fonnation of Regional School Units
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 2280
Senate Amendment SA_A_S553 (Senate)

SENATE AMENDMENT "A "to H.P. 1645, L.D. 2280, Bill, "An Act To Clarify 
and Improve the Laws Governing the Fonnation of Regional School Units" 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 17 and inserting in its place the 
following: 
'Sec. 17. PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §36, sub-§8 is amended to read: 
8. 
Referendum on reorganization plan. 
The municipal officers of each 
municipality in a proposed reorganized school administrative unit shall place a warrant 
article substantially as follows on the ballot of a municipal referendum conducted in 
accordance with the referendum procedures applicable to the school administrative unit 
of which the municipality is a member. A referendum must be held on or before January 
15, 2008 for a reorganization plan that was submitted by December 15,2007 and that the 
Commissioner of Education found meets the requirements of this Part. A referendum 
fffilSt may be held on June 10, 2008 or on or before January 30, 2009 for any plan 
received or revised after December 15, 2007 and subsequently found by the 
Commissioner of Education to meet the requirements of this Part. 
"Article: 
Do you favor approving the school administrative reorganization plan 
prepared by the (insert name) Reorganization Planning Committee to reorganize 
(insert names of affected school administrative units) into a regional school unit, with 
an effective date of 
? 
Yes/No" 
The following statement must accompany the article: 
"Explanation: 
A "YES" vote means that you approve of the (municipality or school administrative 
unit) joining the proposed regional school unit, which will be provided with the 
following incentives: 
More favorable consideration in approval and funding of school construction 
projects; and 
Eligibility for additional financial support for reorganization costs. 
SENATE AMENDMENT 
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SENATE AMENDMENT" II" to H.P. 1645, L.D. 2280 
A "NO" vote means that you do not approve of the (municipality or school 
administrative unit) joining a regional school unit, which will result in the existing 
(municipality or school administrative unit) receiving the following penalties: 
Less favorable consideration in approval and funding of school construction 
projects; and 
A reduction in state funding of education costs in an amol:lnt estimated to be 
$ 
for seAool year 200 
and $ 
for seAeol year 200 , 'witA the 
possiaility of and possible ongoing penalties for continued failure to join an 
approved regional school unit. Reductions in state education funding will likely 
result in an increased mill rate expectation to meet the local share of education 
costs." 
The Department of Education shall pay the cost of a referendum conducted before or on 
January 15,200830,2009.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment restores the requirement that an explanation accompany the warrant 
article for the referendum on the reorganization plan, except that the estimate for the 
penalty for failing to join an 
pproved regional school unit is removed from the 
explanation. 
]/7:;/ I 
SPONSOFUEDBY: ____ ~~~~~~------------
(Senator MILLS, P.) 
COUNTY: Somerset 
SENATE AMENDMENT