FRANKFORT, Maine — Residents will take another step Thursday in determining whether to have the town secede from its school district and join Hampden-based SAD 22 to the north.
For three years now, some in town have explored the idea of leaving RSU 20, a nine-town school district that serves Belfast, Belmont, Frankfort, Morrill, Northport, Searsmont, Searsport, Stockton Springs and Swanville.
Last month, about 80 people attended a public hearing at Frankfort Elementary School where they were able to ask questions of officials from RSU 20 and SAD 22 about what the change might mean to their children’s education.
That hearing was held after the Board of Selectmen accepted a petition to withdraw from RSU 20, which was signed by the 46 people necessary to make it valid.
From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 8, residents will vote by ballot at the Frankfort Elementary School on whether they prefer to withdraw from RSU 20.
If the majority vote in favor of seceding, that will direct the town and RSU 20 to form a withdrawal committee and begin the negotiation process to separate. But it does not mean that Frankfort absolutely will leave RSU 20, according to Gabe Baker, a parent who has long been involved in the process.
Bruce Mailloux, superintendent of RSU 20, said Wednesday that the decision rests with the Frankfort community.
“It impacts us, but there’s nothing we can do about it,” he said. “We’d like them to stay, but it’s their choice.”
Um…I have to wonder if Hampen, Newburgh and Winterport residents want this?
Is there going to be a vote in these towns to allow for this?
I live in Winterport and went to all the schools, and from what I’ve heard, our residents are very interested in this idea. Our numbers are dropping, and adding Frankfort to the Winterport schools would help keep the enrollment up. It’s something that a lot of us who live on the border between Frankfort and Winterport have been looking at for years.
I think the whole idea as far as the Frankfort people are concerned is that they don’t want their school to close. Therefore I’m sure they don’t want to join the Winterport school they fought last year to keep their school open and think that by leaving RSU #20 that Hamden will keep them open
Just based on what I’ve heard from volunteering and having family work in the elementary school in Winterport, the plan right now is that Frankfort will be joining our school.
I would much rather my kids go the the Winterport school than to keep the Frankfort school open.
Hey, someone else to share the burden of the new Hamden Academy would be great, especially since Winterport got hit hardest on the mil rate for that thing. Millions for a “clean energy” windmill and an exercise facility for the people of Hamden- what do we get for it? A much higher tax bill.
Exactly!
What an opportunity for the children to go to Hampden. Produces the brightest students within the greatest building in the state. Everything new with loads of excitement. One can not go wrong here.
Not only the greatest building in the state but at $60,000,000 THE most expensive high school in Maine’s history! What do we the taxpayers get for our money? A 3 story front facade and university class athletic fields. I wouldn’t care if the people of Hampden had to pay for it all by themselves but unfortunately I have to contribute too. Thanks for sucking off my taxes just so “students can be proud of their school.” Yup, that’ll get them a job!
Giving the kids mops to shine your new school isin’t education!
The articles to exit RSU 20 and join RSU/MSAD 22 passed by an overwhelming margin. Because of how the school funding formula works, Frankfort taxpayers have been told by the Maine DOE that they would save about $100,000 in taxes if they move. In addition they will get a FAR superior school district. Now the hard work begins. Frankfort will form a committee to negotiate withdrawal. Once the details are worked out there will be another vote. Residents of MSAD 22 will also have to vote to accept Frankfort. Given the large amount of State funds Frankfort brings, that should be a no-brainer for the receiving district. Too bad Abigail wasn’t on the job last night, so we could have some updated reporting and vote results. Note to BDN editor: Could you please assign someone good to report our local news. Thanks!