To the editor:
The RSU 39 board came to Limestone last week with no announcement and told us that because of Governor LePage’s new school funding formula the cost to Limestone was increasing by $90,000 and by $480,000 to Caribou. Therefore the RSU board announced that they would vote to close Limestone High School (LHS) and merge it with Caribou. This came as a complete shock to us!
When RSU 39 was formed, we were assured that a school could not be closed without a vote of the community affected. We would not have joined the RSU if we had known of this “loophole.”
In any case, there must be hundreds of small schools in Maine with similar problems and there will be legislative pressure to modify the Governor’s budget. Bear in mind that Limestone has nearly $400,000 in its school reserve account to work with. We will know the final state allocation in two and a half months at our regular town meeting time.
This is no time to panic! Loring (LDA) has several large prospects in the making which could create new jobs, bringing new people to live in Limestone.
We strongly recommend the following:
– The Limestone Selectmen should retain legal counsel to certify the RSU’s power.
– Limestone citizens should lobby their legislators and Governor LePage.
– RSU 39 should work with Limestone officials to look for options that preserve LHS.
– Perhaps one option could keep LHS sports teams in Limestone teamed up with MSSM students. (Limestone keeps its identity and MSSM keeps an important recruiting tool)
– If LHS goes to Caribou should Limestone’s 15 percent share of RSU 39 be reduced?
– What would Limestone get for this drastic move?
Fritzie and Art Thompson
Limestone
