Key dates as delineated in the reorganization law:

July 15, 2007 - Deadline for completion of regional informational meetings to be held by the Department of Education in each of the Career and Technical Education regions.  The Department will present information about the requirements of the reorganization law regarding consolidation and collaboration among school administrative units.

August 31, 2007 – Deadline for each SAU to file a notice of intent to engage in planning and negotiations with other SAUs for the purpose of developing a reorganization plan to form a Regional School Unit (RSU) or a notice of intent to submit an alternative plan to the Commissioner.

December 1, 2007 – SAUs must submit their reorganization plan or alternative plan to the Commissioner.

December 15, 2007 – Commissioner will approve plans or must return any plan that does not meet the requirements with specific suggestions and written findings providing reasons why the plan did not meet the requirements. Reorganization Plans that have been submitted and approved by the Commissioner by December 15, 2007 will proceed to a municipal referendum.

January 15, 2008 – Deadline for holding a municipal referendum in each of the municipalities making up the proposed RSU. This referendum will be paid for by the Department of Education, and is for SAUs with a reorganization plan completed and approved by December 15, 2007.  Referendum ballot indicates the start date proposed in the reorganization plan.

June 10, 2008 – A municipal referendum must be held on June 10, 2008 for any reorganization plan received or revised after December 15, 2007.  Referendum ballot indicates the start date proposed in the reorganization plan.

July 1, 2008 – Suggested start date of new regional school units approved at referendum by January 15, 2008.  An RSU board of directors becomes operational on the date set by the State Board of Education.

November 4, 2008 – In school units where voters rejected a reorganization plan at referendum, those units have until November 4, 2008 to create a new proposal for reorganization and hold a referendum vote.  Units not approving a plan by this date will be subject to the penalties for non-consolidating units.

July 1, 2009 – Latest possible start date of new regional school units approved at referendum after January 15, 2008 and by November 4, 2008.  An RSU board of directors becomes operational on the date set by the State Board of Education.

Introduction | Timeline | Guidelines for Reorganization Planning Committees | Required Elements of the Plan
Regional School Unit Implementation | Community Committee Members

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