HODGDON, Maine — Residents of Cary Plantation and the taxpayers of SAD 70 attended a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 5, to discuss the merits of a proposed agreement that would allow Cary to withdraw from the district.
Superintendent Scott Richardson said during an interview on Friday that the meeting at the Hodgdon High School gym was sparsely attended, with only about 12 people attending.
By a unanimous vote of residents in August, Cary Plantation decided to move forward with its plans to deorganize.
“We want to make sure the deorganization process goes as smoothly and as quickly as possible,” Richardson said.
As part of the vote to dissolve the town, a five-member committee was created to work with the state on all the steps needed in the process. Named to that committee were Diane Cassidy (chairman), Cindy Green, Bill Halsey, Jeremy Hiltz (town official) and Maureen Friel (school representative). That group must draft a letter to the Maine Legislature notifying lawmakers of their meeting results, the reasons for deorganizing and the names of those on the committee.
This committee has 90 days to come up with its deorganization plan. A target date of July 1, 2018, for completing the deorganization process was selected.
In order to continue with the deorganization process, the town also must pull out of SAD 70. To withdraw from a school district, a town must complete a 22-step process that begins with holding a special referendum to vote on whether or not to officially start the withdrawal process. That article must state how much money the town will raise to support legal fees associated with the process.
Richardson said that the referendum will be held on Dec. 15.
He added that Cary Plantation students will still be tuitioned to SAD 70. In the 2015-2016 SAD 70 budget, Cary will pay $121,542 to the district for its 18 students.
According to the figures presented during the meeting, the cost to tuition students to SAD 70 if withdrawal is successful would be $7,123 apiece for elementary students and $9,754 for high school students. There are 15 elementary students and three high schoolers enrolled in SAD 70; therefore, the cost to tuition those students would be $136,107. Transportation costs are not included.
Complicating the withdrawal and deorganization process, the town clerk and first selectman for Cary abruptly resigned last week. Marcia McGary served as the town clerk, general assistance officer and registrar of voters. Tim McGary was first selectman and animal control officer.
Those positions will be filled at a special town meeting set for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, at the SAD 70 Superintendent’s Office.
Houlton Pioneer Times staff writer Joseph Cyr contributed to this article.