Wiscasset School Board Votes to Close Primary School

Before a packed library at the Wiscasset High School the Wiscasset School Board voted 3 to 2 on September 15 to close the Wiscasset Primary School, beginning with the 2015-2016 school year.

According to cost saving notes prepared by Wiscasset School Superintendent Lyford Beverage for the board’s special meeting, closing the Wiscasset Primary School and sending its students to the middle school, will reduce next year’s budget by $785,524.

Closing the Wiscasset Middle School, sending grades five and six to the primary school and sending seventh and eighth grade to Wiscasset High School would result in a savings of $655,674.

School officials said the $129,850 difference in savings made the decision easier.

School board Chairman Steve Smith said the decision was not an easy one, because there are issues with both schools that need to be addressed. Either building will cost money to upgrade, Smith said. The additional savings from closing the primary school could be used to upgrade the parking area, or the facility, Smith said.

Smith said he was concerned with getting a school budget passed next year and closing a school is the first step in next year’s budget process.

“A budget battle will destroy the town,” he said.

According to Maine law, a town-wide vote on the question could be called if a petition calling for a referendum vote is filed within 30 days of the board’s Sept. 15 decision. If no petition is filed the action of the school board is final and the plan will become effective next school year. According to Smith, 167 signatures would be required on a citizen’s petition to force a referendum vote.

School board members Smith, Eugene Stover, and Michael Dunn all supported the motion to close the Wiscasset Primary School. Board member Glenn Craig and Chelsea Haggett voted in opposition.

In an interview following the meeting, Craig said he supported closing the primary school, but was opposed to the way the motion was worded, which indicated support for a citizen’s petition.

In August, Wiscasset Town Clerk Christine Wolfe sought some clarity from the Maine Municipal Association regarding a possible school closure vote. In the email response from MMA Attorney Richard Flewelling, dated Aug. 26, Flewelling indicated voter approval was not required in order to close a municipal school unless a voter petition is presented within 30 days of the school committee’s vote to close a school.

If a petition is presented, a special referendum election must be called by the municipal officers at least 45 days later and requires one public hearing, according to Flewelling.

Acknowledging she understood she didn’t have a vote, but had an opinion, fifth grader Marguerita Fairfield, told the board why Wiscasset Middle School should stay open.

“I like going to Wiscasset Middle School. I feel more responsible going there,” Fairfield said. “The Wiscasset Middle School is bigger and more functional for kids,” she said.

“Sold,” replied Smith.

Wiscasset High School senior Erika Auger also took the opportunity to tell the board she and her fellow high school peers cared about the decisions being made, all of which involve bringing younger kids into an older environment. She said she supported keeping the Wiscasset Middle School open because it would be the best fit.

Auger also said that closing a school doesn’t mean closing relationships, the focus should be on keeping relationships, she said.

“It’s what you put into it. It’s how much you care. We need to think more deeply,” Auger said.

Wiscasset High School Ed. Tech Deb Pooler and other community members encouraged the board to make the decision to close a school and not pursue a petition because the citizens of Wiscasset entrusted them with the responsibility.

“People are looking to you for leadership,” she said. “We believe you want a good, strong school. It’s not about a building, it’s about the educators.”

Former selectmen Duane Goud agreed. “We elected you guys. You’ve done your homework, he said.

For about an hour and a half, parents, teachers, and community members expressed support of one school over the other and expressed concerns regarding the middle school’s ability to accommodate the needs of the younger children and moving the entire primary school population to the middle school.

Playground safety, younger children managing the stairs to the cafeteria, mold and asbestos were some of the concerns raised during the public comment.

The Wiscasset Middle School served as a K-8 facility prior to 1973. According to recent school data released by the school board the middle school could house 334 students and 24 teachers. Existing athletic fields, a full-sized gym and cafeteria make the middle school more favorable, some residents said.

Smith assured the crowd the Wiscasset Middle School would be ready to take the additional students and the necessary safety issues would be addressed.

“There is no way it won’t be ready. I will do the work myself,” Smith said. “I am confident it will be ready.”