PITTSFIELD, Maine — The local school district has a new name.
Maine School Administrative District 53 recently became Regional School Unit 53, reported Superintendent Michael Gallagher to the district’s board of directors Thursday night.
Precipitating the change is the fact that the district recently was deemed to be in compliance with the state’s school administration consolidation law. SAD 53 attempted to merge with a variety of other districts, but was rejected repeatedly. The district applied for “doughnut hole” status after that process, which was granted recently, said Gallagher. That means the district will not face penalties that are outlined in the state’s consolidation law for districts that don’t comply. It also positions the district better to request funding from the state for school construction.
“The district will be a stand-alone district. We now have our own destiny in our hands,” said Gallagher. Despite the technical change in its name, Gallagher said the district can continue to do business as SAD 53.
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The SAD 53 board of directors will attempt to sell its central office building on Hartland Avenue in Pittsfield, which is being vacated this summer as a budget-reducing measure. The building houses district administrators, including the superintendent’s staff.
Earlier this month, the Pittsfield Town Council opted not to take ownership of the building, which the town had the right to do if it chose to. That left the school district with several options, including leasing it, selling it, demolishing it or doing nothing.
The 3,300-square-foot building, which was formerly a school, sits on 1.35 acres and is assessed by the town as being worth $233,800. Gallagher said because of the condition of the building, the district likely won’t attract a buyer at that price.
Proceeds from the sale of the building would have to be turned over to the town of Pittsfield by law, though the school board voted Thursday to deduct any costs it incurs in marketing the building or closing on a sale.
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SAD 53 board of education member Jan Laux said he thought voters’ confusion about what they were voting for at the polls Tuesday was to blame for a bad decision.
In addition to taking a vote to validate the district’s budget, SAD 53 towns and most towns in the state were faced with a second question on Tuesday’s ballot about whether the district will adhere to the same budget process for the next three years. That includes a district budget meeting similar to a town meeting followed by a districtwide referendum.
“I think that is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard in my life,” said Laux. “We had our meeting. To have to go through a process to validate what happened at that meeting, I just don’t understand the value of that. It’s crazy.”
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Maine Central Institute will hold its annual auction on Friday, June 18, in the Donna Leavitt Furman ’41 Student Center on the MCI campus. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for registration, and guests can enjoy a menu of hors d’oeuvres beginning at 6 p.m. In addition to the live auction, MCI will be offering a basket raffle with drawings throughout the evening.
MCI’s annual auction directly benefits the school’s music and athletic departments. Each department receives 45 percent of the profits, and the remaining funds go to other co-curricular programs. The money raised has purchased items such as new sports uniforms, educational trips for students, department supplies and many other materials.
The cost is $20 per person or $35 per couple. To register, contact Kathy Kitchin at kkitchin@mci-school.org or call 487-4461. Registration also may be done online at www.mci-school.org/auction.
