FREEPORT
As Freeport contemplates withdrawal from Regional School Unit 5, school officials are seeking ways to communicate better with member towns.
The RSU 1 Board of Directors and Superintendent Shannon Welsh discussed those possibilities during a board retreat and workshop Wednesday night at Freeport High School.
On Sept. 11, the board will discuss results of a survey taken in the three towns to determine why voters defeated a $16.9 million bond June 11 to renovate and enlarge the high school. Freeport residents solidly backed the proposal but voters in Durham and Pownal swayed the vote the other way.
Welsh began the conversation, noting that last year, RSU 5 invited town officials to its meetings on two occasions. Beth Parker of Freeport noted, however, that attendance was poor.
Chairman Nelson Larkins of Freeport then suggested that perhaps school board members should attend municipal meetings, instead.
“We’ve had liaisons at their meetings in the past, telling them what’s going on,” said Peter Murray of Freeport. “I think it might be kind of a nice gesture.”
Welsh mentioned three possibilities: The Finance Committee could reach out to the three towns, each governance board could initiate a meeting, or board members — as Larkins suggested — could attend municipal meetings.
Murray responded that board members could attend two municipal meetings a year. RSU 5 could continue to invite town officials to its meetings, he added.
Earlier, Welsh said that the Freeport Town Council has requested and received letters of interest, from residents willing to replace Brenda Kielty on the board. Kielty has moved to Portland, and two months remain on her term.
The Town Council will appoint a replacement for Kielty next Tuesday night, with the hope that that person might be willing to appear on the November ballot to serve another term. Murray’s term also expires in November, and he has taken out nomination papers.
lgrard@timesrecord.com
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