To the editor:
Concerned citizens from the former MSAD 25 communities have created a LOCAL Focus Group to help Lead Our Community’s Access to Learning. The majority of our towns are sitting on certifiable petitions for withdrawal and we need to make decisions on how we move forward with RSU 50. Our group’s “focus” is in the best interest of our children and region’s economic prosperity.
It is our belief that the only way we can effectively provide the best educational opportunities for our students is to withdraw from the current Regional School Unit (RSU) structure and form a new Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS). A main objective is to make sure that we have the ability to keep our local schools open! Under the current RSU, this will always be a concern.
With an AOS, each side of the district maintains its own budget, has its own school board, and is operated as a separate entity with the exceptions of administrative and educational services indicated in the AOS reorganization plan.
Although successful in other areas of our state, the RSU structure has struggled in our specific region. Geography is obviously one of the major problems hindering the success of RSU 50. A total of 432 square miles across our rural district makes it difficult to logistically and ethically coordinate further consolidation to one side of the district or the other.
We thank the school board members who listened to the community members on Jan. 21st and voted against the proposed closure of Katahdin Middle/High School.
Although our school may be safe for the time being, if we remain as an RSU, there is no guarantee that we will not find ourselves facing this situation again in the future. Furthermore, we realize that the inability to pass a budget that will satisfy both sides of the district, continues to be difficult.
The above reasoning is why the former MSAD 25 towns have organized a collaborative effort to withdraw from RSU 50. Although we realize a lengthy process is required to achieve withdrawal, we believe this is the best avenue to creating a sustainable learning environment that is beneficial to our children and communities.
It is also our intention to remain as transparent as possible with the entire region as we continue to facilitate conversation. If we explore the alternative structures together, we can continue sharing administrative and educational services, which is a reasonable and constructive cost sharing approach while maintaining more efficient control over our budgets and buildings.
Forming a new AOS with a local and efficient budget process is critical to community involvement within our schools, enhanced curriculum, as well as supporting and retaining staff. Our schools being the cornerstone of our communities is of utmost importance to us. The status-quo is no longer an option and we believe that a new AOS is the right change for ensuring future growth and prosperity.
We are holding an informational meeting on Thursday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Katahdin Elementary gymnasium in Stacyville. We encourage all community members from each end of the district to attend. We will be presenting our goals and objectives, as well as openly brainstorming ideas for the greater good of our students, schools, and communities.
We hope to see you in Stacyville on March 10th!
