The school district consolidation proposal contained in the state’s biennial budget will be accompanied by a sigh of relief among many people in the communities of South Portland and Cape Elizabeth.
    Thanks to the hard work of many people interested in maintaining Cape Elizabeth's unique and efficient town and school partnership, the legislation contains a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" provision.
    The fact that only five school districts will qualify for this exemption shows just how broken the educational system in Maine is.
    And because Cape Elizabeth doesn't have to consolidate their school district, that means South Portland won't have to consolidate theirs. The law contains provisions that would penalize otherwise exempt districts for not consolidating if their neighbor has no one else to partner with.
    As a result of this exemption, interested parties in the two communities can sit back and watch others fight it out and wonder what if?
    At least for a while. There will likely be cuts to both districts already paltry state subsidies. But how much will be an open question for at least a year, maybe more (this year's subsidies had not yet been finalized as of press time, well after both districts budgets passed with assumptions rather than actual numbers).
    But that is not today's problem. Those who care about our schools deserve a break, just in time for summer.                  –Ward Peck