MONTICELLO, Maine — Residents of Monticello will have two significant votes to make on Tuesday, June 10, as ballots for the municipal budget and the fate of Wellington School weigh in.
The town referendum will read: “Do you favor authorizing the school board of Maine School Administrative District 29 to close Wellington Elementary School?”
Monticello’s municipal budget is $548,704 with an additional $359,121 being the required local share for RSU 29. If voters want to keep Wellington School open, they will have to pay on top of the local share another $188,730 and the result — an increase in taxes — driving the mil rate up approximately another three mils.
Last Thursday night, a public meeting was held at Wellington School to air issues concerning the closure of its doors. RSU 29 Superintendent Mike Hammer, RSU 29 Transportation Director Joe Schneider, along with Fred Grant, Elizabeth Anderson and Jeremiah Crockett, Houlton representatives; David Loendrof, Hammond; Sandra Henderson, Littleton; Jennifer Johnston and Sandra Wilkins, Monticello were on hand to field questions.
About 25 people gathered with concerns on the closure of the local school, along with students being transported to Houlton.
Ronald Flewelling, longtime Monticello resident, could not see any savings with this move.
“This is not the answer, believe me,” said Flewelling. “You are not going to save any money. You know it. I know it. Everyone here knows it. We are not going to save a cent by closing this school.”
Throughout the discussion, Flewelling expressed he did not think the numbers were clear.
“We’ve spent a very long time going through these numbers, I feel confident in my understanding to what those numbers are. I cannot speak for anyone else, but this is a very difficult decision,” said Grant. “No one is saying this is something we want to do. I am going to tell you right now, that we are facing an educational crisis in this state and there are people advocating for lower costs for higher education. Until our population wants to value the costs of education we are going to have to reduce the cost of education.”
“I understand the principle,” said resident Tina Pierce. “I understand at this point, it is money over education – it’s everywhere, I get it. How about if you are going to do this, why not do it right? Do this with small classrooms, everyone wins that way.”
With Houlton Elementary School filled to near capacity, Flewelling noted there was not room for the 71 Wellington students.
“That is not true,” said Grant.
“Unless you move someone somewhere else,” Flewelling added.
“We do have multiple plans for that,” Hammer said.
“If it is a money problem, why don’t we just close down all three schools and move everyone up to the high school,” Flewelling questioned. “That was built to hold 1,600 students.”
“We have 1,300 right now in the district and I do not think they would all fit with the programs we are asked to provide for the students,” Hammer added. “I understand it was a Class A school at one time and it was busting at the seams.
With 116 students registering for kindergarten, Hammer noted that the board had to reconsider its options.
Flewelling asked, “What is the hurry? Every meeting we have been at you have told us it takes two years to close it down. You guys have done it in six months. Why are you pushing it?”
Pierce added, “Kids are very resilient. It is the parents that are having to swallow this because we are so spoiled here. We are like family and this is a very welcoming school. It is just new to us … I am trying to make it right in my head because change is hard.”
She also noted that it was the parents who needed convincing that this move is the right one for their children.
“It is knowing that our kids are not going to be left behind and will not fade into the background,” Pierce added.
“So, can I assume this statement, we are closing this school because of funds,” asked Ginger Pryor, Monticello town manager.
Hammer noted it was to reduce the overall budget and that if the RSU ceases to use the building as a school, the facility goes back to the town.
“I know there has been a lot of thought that has gone into this – money wise as well as the welfare of the 4-year-olds – I don’t think education-wise it is a good move,” said resident Jay Brewer, who has 33 years in education as a teacher and principal for the local schools. “The fact you are saving some money … I don’t think that will work out either. Driving those buses up and down the road is going to cost a lot of money. I don’t think you will save a penny.
“I do hope for the welfare of the child you have really thought it over,” he added.
Among the concerns citizens addressed were bus routes.
“At this point in time, my daughters get on the bus at quarter after six in the morning,” said Pierce. “I bring my youngest. She is 5 here (Wellington School). I don’t want her to be on that bus that early in the morning.”
“I have been tasked with making routes more efficient,” Schneider said. “I don’t want to put (out) a firm time frame, but obviously, the less time on the bus the better. I’d like to see it way less than and an hour-and-a-half.”
