Westport Island residents voted to terminate the RSU 12 withdrawal process with 72 yes votes and 59 no votes, June 10. This article was put to a referendum vote as a result of a citizens’ petition circulated by Westport Island resident Richard DeVries.
The town voted to begin the withdrawal process two years ago. The withdrawal committee was appointed to negotiate a withdrawal agreement with the RSU 12 Board of Directors. According to Gerald Bodmer, the chairman of the withdrawal committee, that agreement was very near to completion.
On June 12, 2012, the voters of Westport Island voted 152-70 to begin the withdrawal process. The reason at that time was the education cost for Westport Island students had increased significantly as a result of a cost-sharing formula in the original 2008 consolidation agreement.
Due to pressure from Westport Island and Alna to correct the formula, the RSU changed the cost-sharing formula, which has reduced the costs for Westport Island.
As a result of this vote to terminate the withdrawal process, the town of Westport Island will not withdraw from RSU 12, and the work of the withdrawal committee has come to an end.
Third Selectman Ross Norton was re-elected to serve another term, receiving 115 votes. DeVries was re-elected to the RSU 12 Board of Directors.
