LIMESTONE, Maine — Many were opposed when the RSU 39 School Board (Limestone, Caribou and Stockholm) discussed closing Limestone High School with residents on March 15. Locals began circulating petitions to keep the high school open, and the town’s Board of Selectpeople will be holding a special meeting tonight at 6:30 in the town office to discuss the best options moving forward.
Superintendent Tim Doak cited financial hurdles as a primary factor leading to potential closure, adding that RSU 39 will be losing roughly $1.4 million worth of funding in the 2017-18 year. The school board recently voted to shut down Hilltop Elementary in Caribou to offset a portion of this loss.
Since Limestone has a preK-12 school, the facility would still be operational with the loss of grades 9-12. However, the town would lose their sports team and, in turn, a piece of their identity. After losing Loring Air Force Base and, more recently, Sitel, attendants at the March 15 meeting were not anxious to give up another important part of their town.
Limestone Town Manager Fred Ventresco said a committee, with the intent of looking into the budgetary aspects of withdrawal, was formed after the March 15 meeting. Ventresco added that the Limestone’s Selectpeople recently voted to back their efforts, and will be discussing their findings Tuesday night.
“Withdrawal (from RSU 39) is definitely one option,” Ventresco, “but we are looking at possible alternatives, and from what we can tell it appears that the school board does have the final say.”
Doak said he has provided documentations and figures for members of this committee, and that the RSU 39 is “trying to cooperate in providing the numbers so they can see if (withdrawal) is worthwhile.”
“As a town, they have a right to do it,” Doak said, adding that withdrawal can be a lengthy process.
“It’s not something that happens overnight,” Doak said. “It could take a year and a half before they can be their own district.”
Ventresco said a vote for closure would likely occur during RSU 39’s next meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, April 5, 6 p.m. in the Caribou Learning Center. As of March 27, the meeting agenda has not been written.
