LIMESTONE, Maine — Recent funding hurdles have put many County schools in jeopardy and, as a result, the RSU 39 school board will be discussing their financial situation with Limestone residents tomorrow night at 7 in the LCS auditorium.
Limestone, along with Stockholm and Caribou, are part of RSU 39, which recently voted to close Hilltop Elementary School due to budgetary issues. In addition to discussing the budget, the board will also propose a transfer of Limestone grade 9-12 students to Caribou High School.
Superintendent Tim Doak said RSU 39 will lose roughly $1.4 million for the 2017-18 school year, as a result of an approximate $800,000 cut from the State of Maine in addition to contractual obligations and health insurance increases.
The board held a similar meeting in Sept. 2015 and, at that time, many Limestone residents were not receptive to the idea of losing their local high school.
Superintendent Tim Doak presented the pros and cons of this move during the 2015 meeting, with drawbacks being a loss of community identity, school colors, and their Eagle mascot. Advantages were that money was being saved and that Limestone kids would have far more course options when attending CHS.
Residents attending the 2015 meeting considered changing Caribou High School’s identity since it would include Limestone students, and others suggesting that Limestone consider taking their students to other schools such as Fort Fairfield, Presque Isle or Washburn. Presque Isle in particular was cited by Limestone resident Art Thompson as offering more courses than Caribou.
The upcoming meeting, according to Doak, will primarily include a conversation about budgetary issues.
“We want to let Limestone know what we’re looking at and walk them through the financials, the ED 279, and show them how we are losing money,” Doak said.
The Superintendent added that no voting will occur tomorrow night unless a motion is made by a board member, adding that if a vote did occur, it would likely take place during the board’s first meeting in April.
“Whenever there’s an increase or a savings, all three communities (of RSU 39) are affected,” Doak said. “If one community saves money, we all save.”
Due to the predicted storm, the meeting may be rescheduled for Thursday if RSU 39 closes schools on Wednesday.
