RSU 21 decision a touchy subject
By Ann S. Kim akim@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
Regional School Unit 21 has received 19 requests from parents in Arundel to enroll their children at the Middle School of the Kennebunks this school year.
The RSU 21 board of directors decided last month that as many as 45 students -- 15 in each in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades -- would be allowed to begin attending the middle school in the fall.
The number of students who have signed up -- 11 sixth-graders, five seventh-graders and three eighth-graders -- represents about 12 percent of Arundel's middle school population.
"Clearly, this is a sign that a portion of the population is eager to exercise its right to choose where to send their children to middle school," Superintendent Andrew Dolloff said in a prepared statement. "The board is not looking to detract from Thornton Academy Middle School or its staff; we're simply trying to provide parents who live in the district with the opportunity to choose the public school that exists within the district."
The board's decision to take Arundel middle school students this fall was described as a bridge to another decision, to buy out five years of the school district's middle school contract with Thornton Academy in Saco, effective June 30, 2011.
Arundel and Thornton Academy negotiated the contract in 2004, before Arundel joined Kennebunk and Kennebunkport to form RSU 21. In the past school year, 145 of Thornton Academy's 163 middle school students were from Arundel.
The private academy has called the decision to take Arundel students at the Middle School of the Kennebunks this fall a circumvention of the contract.
An arbitrator is expected to hear the matter later this month.
Middle school students from Arundel will have the option of attending Thornton Academy even after the contract ends.
Staff Writer Ann S. Kim can be contacted at 791-6383 or at:
akim@pressherald.com
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6 COMMENTS
momofboyz said...
Kennebunk had a chance to accept Arundel students when they built a new school and they said no thanks. Now because of budget woes they want us. We were bullied into consolodation with the threat of losing funds form the state. A contract was made with Thornton Academy with an offer we could not refuse. The consolodation laws protected our choice to remain with TA and still have high school choice, a reason many move into our town. Now this is being taken out of our control and may actually incur legal fees to fight a battle between Kennebunk and TA. Our representation at RSU21 are not representing the majority as they have their own agenda. Where do their children go to school? TAMS has supplied the Arundel children a unique middle school experience that many are envious of. Middle school is a wonderful yet sometimes difficult time for kids and I would rather my child be part of 185-200 than 6oo. Arundel made the choice if you dont like it move out of town.
July 8, 2010 at 7:11 AM Report abuse
Sam said...
School budget restrictions are a reality of life and are only going to continue to get worse. The very juvenile "if you dont (sic) like it move out of town" attitude is decidedly less than helpful. Thorton Academy is a very expensive school and the school board is absolutely right to seek ways to educate students within the financial limits that taxpayers have placed upon them.
July 8, 2010 at 8:13 AM Report abuse
Ayuh23 said...
From what I understand, all the contracts between Arundel and TA were signed long before the State O Maine forced school consolidation on this one school district. When KBunk built the current middle school, there wasn't room for the Arundel kids, hence that decision. I believe the choice to attend TAMS and TA still remains with the Arundel parents- nothing was taken away, only added. So then, this question- why should the people of RSU 21 pay to bus Arundel kids two towns away when the Kbunk kids don't have that option? That's a lot of money in transportation that only benefits a few kids. (BTW- the motion to allow Arundel kids to attend MSK was made by the Arundel representatives to the school board.)
July 8, 2010 at 9:09 AM Report abuse
momofboyz said...
I was under the impression that before consolidation Arundel was spending less per pupil under our own control and TA was a good bargain for our state mandated changes for middleschool requirements. I would love to know how a contract buyout, legal arbitration, and other details are going to save Arundel tax dollars. I believe my town is losing control over how we spend our education dollars. Again TA is providing our kids a chance to integrate into a very good school community. I would love to see a special town meeting with all financial details spelled out and let the Arundel people decide. With absolutly no threats from the state to withdraw funds either way and an unbiased leader for such meeting.
July 8, 2010 at 9:22 AM Report abuse
Dhiff said...
Heard they were changing the name to Transfer Academy
July 8, 2010 at 9:28 AM Report abuse
momofboyz said...
Heyy Dhff,I heard Kennebunk has Bake start Wednesday and then you go to Kennebunk High. The argument is not whether they are good schools, it is about Arundel maintaing control of our tax dollars and true choice. Good move on the RSU board to have Arundel reps make the motion but I do not believe they truly represent the town majority.
July 8, 2010 at 9:49 AM Report abuse