Westport Island ad hoc RSU 12 Withdrawal Committee Chairman Gerald Bodmer announced at the April 14 board of selectmen’s meeting there will not be a vote to discontinue the withdrawal process from RSU 12 in June as was previously planned.
Bodmer said the decision was made to scrap the idea of discontinuing the withdrawal process because the committee could not reach a majority vote to put the question before the voters in June. Apparently a previous vote of 3-1 now has changed. Bodmer pointed out a four member committee has the potential of this happening.
“We will move forward in getting a withdrawal agreement between the RSU and the withdrawal committee and hopefully go before the voters in November with a final vote to withdraw or not to withdraw, that will be up to the voters,” Bodmer said. “Once the withdrawal agreement has been approved by the RSU board of directors and the Commissioner of Education, we will hold public meetings to inform the voters the pros and cons of withdrawal.”
Two members of the Westport Island Withdrawal committee, Bodmer and Mort Mendes, met with Wiscasset School Committee April 10 to ask Wiscasset to accept their high school students for a period of 10 years, and to accept students that are not invited to attend any other school of their choice; a condition of the withdrawal agreement according to Education Commissioner James Rier.
Bodmer told the Wiscasset board that about 90 percent of Westport Island students attend Wiscasset schools, and it is likely that many, if not most, will continue to choose Wiscasset schools even if the town does vote to withdraw from RSU 12.
“There are no guarantees,” Bodmer said. “Because we have school choice, the parents will decide where the students go, not the town.”
The Wiscasset School Board took no vote but did commit to give the Westport Island withdrawal committee the document to accept all their high school students, including those not invited at other high schools for a period of 10 years. The document will be reviewed by the Wiscasset School Board’s attorney to insure it is consistent with the Wiscasset withdrawal agreement.
According to RSU 12 Superintendent Howard Tuttle, as of Tuesday afternoon, there are 65 students from Westport Island attending Wiscasset Schools; 16 of which attend Wiscasset High School.
