EDUCATION:  ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The following are examples of KEYS region multi-town initiatives to improve and support education

1. Centralized purchases via SMRPC saving money for school districts
2. Regional Legislative Forum on school funding issues (Palesky)
3. York School District Summer Institutes, for teachers from all towns
4. Kittery Trading Post Outdoor Academy (KODA): A regional partnership of schools and their communities to provide environmental education, environmental service learning, and healthy outdoor recreation
5. Collaboration among Adult Education Programs
6. School Merger Forums Fall 2008 (see reports below)

 

School Merger Forums October - November 2007 - Reports and Updates

These forums were funded by the NH Charitable Foundation, in support of citizen-leader dialogue on important local issues.

• Kittery Forum 10/23/07 Report (webpage)

• Marshwood Forum 10/29/07 Report (webpage)
• York Forum 11/1/07 Report (webpage)
• Short Summary Report on first three forums, pre-Nov. 13 session (webpage)

From the report above: "...the main theme identified in the final round of discussions was a desire to slow down the process of school district consolidation. Many of those in attendance felt that there was a rush to judgment in the matter and that more discussion, more detailed information and more citizen buy-in would be necessary before people would be comfortable or confident in the benefits of the law as experienced in the KEYS region."

• All towns Informational Forum 11/13 7pm at Kittery Trading Post Conference Room - questions for officials (webpage); feedback form responses (webpage).
• January 1, 2008 update on legislation (webpage).
• March 13, 2008 update on legislation (webpage)

A total of 47 citizens and school leaders attended the forums, some going to more than one of them.

Press Related to the Forums (all pdfs)

10/17/2007   Mergers - Forums

10/25/2007 School Forums

10/31/07 York Forum

11/1/07 Eliot/South Berwick SAD35 Forum