Staff Writer
During their regular meeting Tuesday evening, the Caribou City Council heard from Superintendent Frank McElwain and several Caribou Board of Education members regarding the school consolidations and the RSU Plan. During the presentations, council members asked for clarification on several points of the plan, commenting on the need to consider what the $209,000 penalty for not participating in the consolidation plan would mean to both the Caribou community and it’s schools.
“Geographically it’s a good fit,” stated Board Chairman Scott Willey, “ allowing to share services. We have to take into consideration the declining enrollment, the issue of declining state surplus and the money we have to have per student. Willey continued to inform the council pane,” The RSU board would be manageable and the schools would all have fair representation, to quote Dwight Hunter when Caribou considered dropping from a Class A to Class B school system, “We have to go where the numbers take us.”
Gail Gordon, a veteran member of the Caribou School Board told the city council “I personally have come forward seeing the benefits of this plan. We’ve been served a plate of food and we either eat it or starve,” she continued, “we have the opportunity to say what’s on that plate.” Gordon also informed the council that, it was unanimous decision of the board to support the RSU participation.
“ I understand the emotional factor in deciding which way to go with this issue,” said Sam Collins, co-chair of the RPC. “ The unfounded fear of losing local schools, the center of community events, fuels the negative attitude some people have developed.” Caribou has to move forward or we’ll be left behind.”
The RSU Plan includes the eight school communities of Caribou, Limestone, Fort Fairfield, Caswell, Woodland, New Sweden, Stockholm and Westmanland.
Following the presentation and questions regarding the decision to enter into the RSU, the Caribou City Council, with six members present voted to support the plan by a five to one show of hands.
All Caribou residents are urged to get out and vote at the Jan. 27 referendum. Voting polls will be open at 8 a.m.
Voting in each of the eight communities involved in the RSU Referendum will take place at the individual voting sites.
