WEST BATH
Regional School Unit 1 has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit by member town West Bath, which is seeking $1.9 million in damages it says it sustained under the district’s former cost-sharing formula.
Jonathan Davis, town administrator in West Bath, said Wednesday the hearing will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 8, at Sagadahoc Superior Court in West Bath.
The town alleges that the cost-sharing formula once used by RSU 1 violates state law. Earlier this year, RSU 1 reverted to a formula that allocates school costs based one-third on student population, one-third on town valuation and one-third on student population.
West Bath’s lawsuit states the plan — which RSU 1 used to assess member towns in 2009-10 — used a calculation that does not comply with an earlier formula required after the Legislature mandated school consolidation.
West Bath is fine with the current plan — which is under sharp scrutiny by at least three RSU 1 member towns — but says it has been overcharged by as much as $1.9 million.
“Obviously, our stance is going to be not to have it dismissed,” Davis said. “It’s not a dispute on the information, it’s just a dispute on the interpretation of it.”
Tim Harkins, RSU 1 board chairman, confirmed the motion to dismiss.
“The board discussed it among themselves, and with our attorney,” Harkins said.
Meanwhile, the RSU 1 Board of Directors will vote on a cost-sharing proposal for next fiscal year during Monday night’s meeting at Morse High School.
The board will discuss the issue during a workshop, which will begin at 5 p.m. The regular board meeting starts at 6 p.m.
The cost-sharing formula has been a subject of much debate within the five RSU 1 communities.
The board has indicated a desire to change to a plan based on cost per student. Currently, the school unit uses the formula based on equal thirds — student population, town valuation and student population
The board formed a committee of members from each community in an effort to reach a consenus on costsharing for 2014, but the committee was divided.
lgrard@timesrecord.com
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