Maine news, sports, weather from Waterville Morning Sentinel
Friday, September 10, 2010
CORNVILLE
Cornville school due to close
By Doug Harlow dharlow@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
SKOWHEGAN -- In the end Thursday night, smaller wasn't better.
VANISHING SCHOOL: Mary Stuart, a sixth-grade teacher at Cornville Elementary School, addresses members of the School Administrative District 54 board Thursday night in the Skowhegan Area Middle School gymnasium during a public hearing and vote on whether to close the Cornville school in June.
Photo by Jeff Pouland
Members of the School Administrative District 54 board voted 707-265 to close the Cornville Elementary, effective June 30. The voting was weighted, meaning board members Norridgewock, Canaan, Cornville, Mercer, Skowhegan and Smithfield each had a vote based on the size of the town they represent.
The necessary two-thirds majority vote was 667.
After 90 minutes of pleas from Cornville parents, teachers and friends, the school board said the 1956 Cornville school was unprofitable and unnecessary in the shadow of $2.3 million in budget cuts facing the district, just to maintain "status quo" spending.
Outside the gymnasium at Skowhegan Middle School where Thursday's vote was taken, Kaylee McGowan, a fifth-grader from Cornville, cried.
"I won't be able to graduate," she said, her voice hitching. "I'm a fifth-grader. I was going to graduate from the school next year. Now I won't be able to."
Her father, Broc McGowan, was equally dismayed.
"I think it's money first and people second," he said. "It's a rite of passage, sixth-grade graduation. It's the end of one era to the next, and you like to do that rite of passage with your peers. Everyone's now going off in a different direction, heading into the unknown of the other towns, the other schools, so it's a big deal to the young ones."
The Cornville school serves 95 children in kindergarten through grade 6. Students next year will be moved to schools in Skowhegan, where Superintendent Brent Colbry said two classrooms will be opened to try to keep Cornville pupils together.
He said there is no overcrowding in Skowhegan.
Residents appealed to the board to keep Cornville's community together, citing growth in town and an increase in the number of families that have moved there because the town had a community school.
For their part, school board members appeared sympathetic to the fears of Cornville parents, but the estimated $600,000 needed to operate the school was too much to overlook. It was either cut the school or cut teachers, they said.
Residents stood one by one for 90 minutes to say there were other areas to cut -- starting with the administration -- but their arguments fell on deaf ears, Cornville First Selectman Melvin Blaisdell said.
"Those speeches were all prepared before this meeting ever started," he said of the comments by school board members. "Every director had their speech ready. They knew how they we're going to vote and we just wasted two hours. I watched every one of them."
Board member Maureen Provencal of Skowhegan said directors had to think of all of the children in the district, not just the Cornville students.
"It's not the school board's fault or the parents' fault," she said. "Most importantly, it's not the fault of the children."
Board Vice Chairman Patrick Elwell of Smithfield said he would vote to close the school because of the economy.
"We must make systematic changes," Elwell said. "This budget crunch is not temporary."
Mary Stuart, a sixth-grade teacher at Cornville, cried when she heard the vote result Thursday night.
"This has been traumatic for families," she said. "I think it's been pretty traumatic for the board. I expected the vote to be much closer. I'm heartbroken."
Cornville residents will get a chance to vote by referendum this summer to keep the building open as a school -- but at town expense, not district expense.
Doug Harlow -- 474-9534
dharlow@centralmaine.com
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18 COMMENTS
Reality said...
Common people making a big deal out of a sixth grade graduation. Like this is some high point in life. In my day graduating high school was the first big high point, then graduating college, getting married going into the service, having your first child is a big deal.
March 19, 2010 at 2:35 AM Report abuse
Rocky4 said...
A RITE OF PASSAGE? ARE YOU SHI*TING ME? Only the trophy generation would believe that statement. Reality is right on.
March 19, 2010 at 4:28 AM Report abuse
walkietalkie said...
Rite of passage??? How do they think the kids form Mercer/Smithfield felt? Oh, wait, that didn't effect them at the time...I am sorry to see a small school close, and it will be a loss for the community, but only if they choose to let that happen. Mercer has done AMAZING things in the comm. center out there since they took over, and Cornville would do well to take a lesson from them. Reality, I see your point, but you have to remember that we live in a "me" generation, that only lives for the moment. They can't plan that far ahead....they have microwaves, fast food, high speed internet, iphones, and facebook. They are not part of our "crock pot" generation where you had to wait for exciting things to happen. Parents have turned every little thing into a party. These kids suck wind, so they are entitled to a 6th grade gradutation...It's only going to get worse. Hold on tight!!
March 19, 2010 at 5:46 AM Report abuse
qstick1 said...
Yoy people need to get a life, wake up and smell the flowers. everyone always says what about the staff starting with Brent all the way down through the ranks.These people make what ever they want to happen.In this day in age,Brent,the board,etc.,do as they please.If you think for one second B.C. is ever going to take a pat cut, you are crazy,It's all about him. Why the hell doesn't he life in the district any-how, dam, i sure hope we aren't paying him to travel each way.I bet next year he puts in for postal stamps for his entire family. I think we should get him and his family, a life time pass to pizza hut, that way he won,t go hungry. How the heck does someone make all that money with his part time job and all thr perks he receive's.??????
March 19, 2010 at 7:08 AM Report abuse
transplanted said...
Wow, those are some harsh statements - you all must be on the SAD 54 board - or part of the administration! The bigger point to be made is that the board did not, has not, and will not listen to the community that elected them into their positions. There are cuts that can be made at the administrative level on down. Closing a school should never be the first thing on a budget. However, there will be no administrative cuts because as was mentioned last night, those administrators would have to know by April 1st how they are affected. There doesn't seem to be enough time to make that happen, so I guess they are all good and safe. Phew!
March 19, 2010 at 7:11 AM Report abuse
J said...
This is one of the most disappointing things I have read in a long time. Colbry has tried to close this school on multiple occasions and it seems he has finally succeeded. It is as though he has some sort of vendetta. He ignores the facts that these smaller schools are doing better in test scores and ultimately in graduation rates. He is skewing statistics and using framing to mislead. It is sad that he insists on pushing this through without eliminating some of the excessive administrative costs or to explore other options, that might include moving some students into this more well maintained building rather than those outdoor trailers. I wonder how much money would be saved by this school district if the superintended consolidation plan has been followed. I think it would be prudent to pursue that…
March 19, 2010 at 7:14 AM Report abuse
punk51 said...
boo hoo for the crybaby...it needs to be mandatory for parents to remit their tax credit for kids to the local school system..
March 19, 2010 at 7:30 AM Report abuse
mdenis46 said...
Going to try making a comment again -- three yesterday never got posted. It's unfortunate closing a small, community school. The local school IS the heart of a small town, and when it closes, much of the town goes with it. However, many people, perhaps a majority, don't want to spend the money to keep such a school open. Perhaps if the Cornville taxpayers had an option of paying the difference between sending the kids to Skowhegan and keeping them in Cornville, they might be singing a different tune. About "Sixth Grade Graduation" -- my school district dropped that ridiculous idea back in the 1930s when it was discovered that most students actually graduated from high school. I love the phrase "trophy generation", Rocky4. It's so true. Like when teachers have to lower standards so every child makes the "honor roll"? Somehow, when 80% make it, it really isn't an "honor" any more.
March 19, 2010 at 7:34 AM Report abuse
kal said...
Very sad to see all these small, community schools closing. I am amazed that this happens while it seems sports programs and administration is taking very little or no cuts at all. It would make more sense to move some of the Skowhegan kids into the Cornville school to keep from overcrowding their schools and bringing enrollment up in Cornville. This district will be sorry some day that they didn't listen to the people and invest in the future of these students. Rocky--you obviously don't understand kids of this age--a graduation is important to them. These kids are from a small community and have spent the first 7 years of their education in small classrooms--a real "community" and this is a rite of passage before heading into the "bigger" world!
March 19, 2010 at 7:35 AM Report abuse
mdenis46 said...
Going to try making a comment again -- three yesterday never got posted. It's unfortunate closing a small, community school. The local school IS the heart of a small town, and when it closes, much of the town goes with it. However, many people, perhaps a majority, don't want to spend the money to keep such a school open. Perhaps if the Cornville taxpayers had an option of paying the difference between sending the kids to Skowhegan and keeping them in Cornville, they might be singing a different tune. About "Sixth Grade Graduation" -- my school district dropped that ridiculous idea back in the 1930s when it was discovered that most students actually graduated from high school. I love the phrase "trophy generation", Rocky4. It's so true. Like when teachers have to lower standards so every child makes the "honor roll"? Somehow, when 80% make it, it really isn't an "honor" any more.
March 19, 2010 at 7:39 AM Report abuse
U2tvd01vbQ%3D%3D said...
Wow. Those first 3 comments are pretty rude. Spoken like people that never went to a K-6 school. I did, some 20 yeas ago, and I'll tell you even back then 6th grade graduation WAS a big deal. When your 10 and have spent your whole schooling in one building with the same people, it's a HUGE deal. I realize the Mercer/Smithfield kids had do deal with the same thing. The only difference is they all got to move to one brand new school together, not distributed throughout 3 overcrowded (yes, they ARE overcrowded!!!!) buildings and trailers. "These kids suck wind" very considerate walkietalkie, I'm hoping you teach your kids a little more compassion than that. What a jerk!
March 19, 2010 at 7:46 AM Report abuse
SweetPea said...
QSTICK1, Don't know whether it is accurate or not, but I heard that he receives about 25,000 annually for travel.
March 19, 2010 at 8:30 AM Report abuse
transplanted said...
@mdenis46: actually, the majority of the community wanted to keep the school open, and not just Cornville residents either. The MSAD 54 school board just refused to look at any other options and THAT is what has people upset. If the school had to ultimately close as a last resort....well then, so be it, but it shouldn't have been first on the chopping block.
March 19, 2010 at 8:31 AM Report abuse
Mark said...
Board Vice Chairman Patrick Elwell of Smithfield said he would vote to close the school because of the economy. "We must make systematic changes," Elwell said. "This budget crunch is not temporary." Dear residents of Cornville, Skowhegan and greater Maine, Sorry for your loss. Please join us to work in fixing the root cause of the problem: overspending on military to profit corporations. Bring OUr War $$ Home campaign seeks to redirect those funds to education, health care, fixing roads and so on. More information here: bringourwardollarshome.org
March 19, 2010 at 8:35 AM Report abuse
Everett said...
Anyone who does not have a child in the district and did not attend the meetings of our precious school board over the last few months or even years should keep their comments to themselves. It honestly makes you sound stupid. We watched kids cry because they feel like they have been abandoned. It's not a good feeling for them and we as the adults could at least show some sympathy. The board was offered multiple cost saving avenues to pursue that did not include closing a school or cutting teachers. Brent Colbry does not pay taxes in our district, he lives in St Albans and get spaid travel. Anyone else here get paid travel to go to their normal everyday job? Your Town Selectman do what they need to do for the benefit of the Town People. The school board is meant to do what they need to for benefit of the children in our district. It is time for the administrative salaries to be reviewed and minimized!
March 19, 2010 at 9:49 AM Report abuse
Geez106 said...
Here's an idea. Dissolve SAD's and RSU's. Let each town take care of it's own school. Wait a minute, the Governor and his henchwomen wouldn't allow that. Another idea, use the money being spent in Afghanistan and use it for education. Instead of U.S. aid to Haiti and other places, how about U.S. aid to the U.S.
March 19, 2010 at 10:31 AM Report abuse
TURNER said...
It's a local small school.Some larger school districts just would not understand the closeness of familys and children in a small school like this.I grew up in cornville going to school there the entire time from the very begining of the the school in 1956 till leaving the eighth grade.Than moving on to somerset academy in athens to graduate there.It's really sad for me to see this school close.It was a part of my life for the first eight years anyway.The economy of this country stinks and so does closing this school.Guess this is progress moving forward.Is it a good thing money wise?maybe but familys and their children should mean something as well.In with the new and out with the old.Time marches on.It will be rather sad now driving by my old school and knowing it's been closed in favor of more money spent elsewhere.I went to school there with Melvin Blaisdell.Must be a sad day for him as well.
March 19, 2010 at 10:37 AM Report abuse
reader said...
Rural small town Cornfield kids get to be with Skowhegan youths that much early, whats wrong with that?
March 19, 2010 at 10:45 AM Report abuse