Many residents of Freeport, Durham and Pownal have been following the RSU 5 withdrawal debate. We decided to take a leading role in this movement because I believe its time for us to review the effectiveness of the RSU model. All three towns gave up independence to join, and many are questioning that decision.

Voting yes allows us to define what withdrawal will mean, and to create a plan. Freeport voters will get to approve a final plan in 2014. The steps are clearly spelled out by the Department of Education, and other towns have already followed the process and withdrawn from their RSUs. It will take several months of work, but we will get the answers we are looking for. Will we save money or will costs increase? How many kids will we tuition in? Can we maintain curriculum and a competitive sports program? We won’t know until we vote yes.

We believe it is risky not to explore withdrawal. We are about to expand a high school with two communities who voted against the project. Our relations have become tense as a result. Once we do this, we are locked in together indefinitely. Enrollment at the high school declined in 2013 to 515 students – we have breathing room to explore withdrawal.

The RSU model was not chosen by Freeport. The state forced us to consolidate, under threat of penalties and higher costs. We rushed forward and created RSU 5 in four months. It’s time to take a step back and figure out if there is a better way. Moving Freeport Forward has five reasons that lead us to believe a yes vote is called for:

1. Voting yes allows us to explore withdrawal: Voting yes on Dec. 17 allows Freeport to explore withdrawal and decide if it makes sense. After a yes vote, the Town Council will form a withdrawal committee. The committee will create a plan, work with RSU 5 towns to maintain continuity, and create new options for their students while we study the costs of a Freeport School District. Freeport voters will still have the last say, and vote on the plan in 2014.

2. Now is our last chance: Nine towns in Maine have withdrawn from their RSUs, and over a dozen more are in process. Why is this occurring so quickly? Towns had to remain in their RSUs for three years before exploring withdrawal. The state has also set a deadline of Jan. 1, 2015, for towns across Maine to withdraw from an RSU. After that date, it requires a two-thirds majority vote to disband an RSU. We have a narrow window to explore withdrawal.

3. Enable better relations: Freeport’s higher population means we’ve been strong-arming our neighbors. Annual budget votes have become contentious, and the high school bond was rejected by 64 percent of Durham and Pownal voters. A return to the shared cooperation we had before RSU 5 would be preferable. We can find a better way to work together.

4. Regain local control: Withdrawal would allow Freeport to bring decision-making back to the local level. We can be more effective with scarce tax dollars, and administrative costs have increased under RSU 5. We believe that decisions on education can be made more effectively with a municipal school board.

5. Create a nimble school system: Nationwide, education is shifting toward smaller schools. It’s well known that 300 students is the critical mass needed for a high school to have diverse curriculum and competitive sports programs. FHS is well positioned to grow to 400-500 students. Wells has 432 students and Yarmouth has 490 – both outperform our test scores and graduation rate. An expansion may not be needed.

Vote yes on Dec. 17 so our elected officials can create a committee and study Freeport’s withdrawal from RSU 5. A municipal Freeport school system is worth studying. We’ll never know unless we vote yes and give it a try.

Moving Freeport Forward

Freeport

(a grassroots committee of Freeport residents who want to explore withdrawal from RSU 5)