At her final meeting as a Wiscasset School Board member on May 29, Sharon Nichols asked fellow members to consider asking the community for input on the possible consolidation of Wiscasset schools
“I think the people need to make those decisions,” Nichols said.
Nichols suggested sending out a questionnaire with tax bills explaining all the various options of consolidating facilities, which would allow feedback from a large representation of Wiscasset residents.
Although the majority of the board agreed the questionnaire was a good idea, interim School Superintendent Wayne Dorr advised the board to wait unit the committee has had the opportunity to study the various options in order to present residents the information needed to make an informed decision.
Sending out the questionnaire before the board itself had an understanding of all the options would generate uninformed decisions, Dorr said.
“That’s the worst kind of decision,” he said.
While discussions of closing a school next year have surfaced during recent board meetings, the board agrees several considerations are needed before a decision can be made.
“Closing a school is always emotional,” Dorr said.
Board member Eugene Stover suggested the board should try using the terminology of transferring classes rather than closing a school.
Dorr thanked both Nichols and Colleen Smith for their service on the board. Both leave the board effective June 10.
“I am sorry to see you go,” Dorr told Nichols and Smith.
Dorr told the entire board it has accomplished a lot in a short amout of time and complimented the group for their growth as a board.
“It’s an unbelievable task, setting up an entire school system,” Dorr said.
Other Business
The board met in executive session for most of its meeting to interview candidates for the Wiscasset Middle School principal’s job. No action was taken following the interviews.
The board will meet June 11 at 5 p.m. to swear in new board members. Following the swearing-in ceremony, board members will participate in a boardsmanship workshop, presented by the Maine School Management Association.
Following the workshop the board will hold a regular meeting,which will include electing new officers.
