The Wiscasset Schools Advisory Group for Educational Success (SAGES) sponsored a RSU 12-themed debate Oct. 26 at Wiscasset High School.
Eight questions, each pertaining to the issue of withdrawing from RSU 12, were posed to four panelists: RSU 12 Supt. Greg Potter, Westport Island RSU 12 Board Member Richard DeVries, RSU 12 Finance Committee Chair Gerry Nault, and Wiscasset Selectman Ed Polewarczyk.
Polewarczyk, the only non-RSU 12 member on the panel, took care to balance his views as a resident of Wiscasset with his duties as a member of the town’s Board of Selectmen. He brought two hats with him, one labeling him a citizen, the other a member of the Board, which he used to indicate the viewpoint he was speaking from whenever he responded to a question.
In opening statements, Polewarczyk made clear the balance he had to strike. “It’s a delicate position. I’m very concerned with where the school system is going,” he said.
The opening questions of the debate centered on the core reasons for wanting to stay or withdraw from the RSU.
Potter said the RSU provided Wiscasset with a strong partnership of eight collaborating towns and a beneficial cost sharing template.
Potter said the RSU cost sharing format was the most cost effective format in the state, and that an RSU structure provided long term financial stability to the Wiscasset school system.
Polewarczyk responded that an independent panel needed to be created to verify the performance of the RSU system.
Addressing perceived dissatisfaction with the RSU within the Wiscasset community, Potter said he’s heard frustration with the loss of municipal control over fiscal issues, the removal of the “Redskin” as the high school mascot, and a belief that Wiscasset was getting an unfair deal in the RSU’s cost allocation formula.
However, Potter said, RSU 12 has included Wiscasset in every discussion affecting the town.
Potter also said that efforts have been made to improve Wiscasset schools, including enhancing the science curriculum, increasing enrollment, creating an exchange program with a school system in China, and full funding of all current and new programs at all schools.
Speaking as a member of the Board of Selectmen, Polewarczyk said he had heard from Wiscasset residents that an interest in withdrawing from RSU 12 stemmed from a variety of factors, including a belief that the town was intimidated into joining the school unit by the threat of state penalties.
Polewarczyk said that many residents voted to join the RSU, not because they were interested in joining a school unit, but because they feared the financial penalties.
“You have a lot of people that were against it from the beginning,” he said.
Polewarczyk also said the budget process angered many Wiscasset voters who believe the process doesn’t give them the ability to voice their opinions.
Speaking as a citizen, Polewarczyk said that forcing WHS to change its mascot from the contentious “Redskin” to the wolverine was particularly insulting.
“It was something they were proud of that was taken away from them,” he said.
A loss of local control over the school system and increased taxes for the RSU were other issues Polewarczyk said he was aware of.
When asked what the benefit would be to Wiscasset if it should withdraw from RSU 12, Polewarczyk said local control over the school system would be returned.
“The single greatest benefit is local control,” Polewarczyk said, “People will be able to make their own decisions for themselves and for their children.”
Potter responded that local control would be the only benefit to withdrawing.
“Beyond that I don’t see any benefits, especially fiscally,” Potter said.
DeVries agreed, saying withdrawing from the RSU would mean a reduction in state education subsidies, thus requiring a larger financial contribution from the town or a slashing of program offerings at Wiscasset schools.
“What would be the impact on student achievement?” DeVries asked rhetorically.
Nault warned Wiscasset residents that it would cost more to run the school system on their own rather than as part of an RSU. He added that Wiscasset’s concerns were being addressed in the latest attempts at cost allocation reform.
“No matter how we run the numbers, Wiscasset wins,” Nault said.
Some in the audience, however, wondered whether this was merely designed to keep Wiscasset in the RSU.
Thursday’s debate was held as Wiscasset gears up for a vote Nov. 8 that would indicate whether there is majority support for a withdrawal from RSU 12.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2012, Wiscasset residents can begin a process that could ultimately see the town withdraw from the RSU.
