WINDHAM – For the second time in as many weeks, Raymond and Windham residents turned out in droves to a public hearing regarding the possible closure of Jordan-Small Middle School in Raymond.

The closure was originally proposed by the RSU 14 School Board as one of six cost-cutting options for the cash-strapped district, which last year cut 40 teachers. Projecting further cuts to state subsidy, Chairman Toby Pennels explained prior to public comment that the board is looking for ways to cut non-teacher positions, and the closure of a building, he said, would have less impact to education delivery compared to cutting staff from the budget.

While last week’s meeting at the Raymond Elementary School featured emotionally charged public comment, with some Raymond residents calling for secession from the RSU 14 Windham-Raymond school district and a feeling that the two towns’ new “marriage” as a unified school district had become divided due to a spirit of “us versus them,” Wednesday night’s two-hour session at Manchester Elementary School in North Windham featured less call for divorce and more calls for slowing down what some see as a hasty process that is fracturing the two partners.

“We built the foundation for RSU 14 on quicksand,” said Frank McDermott, a longtime school board member in Raymond and former principal and superintendent. “I hope I never come to another meeting where the RSU board refers to our students as Raymond students and Windham students. They’re RSU 14 students. I hope you get that straight, because as you sit there and keeping talking about the Raymond students and the Windham students, you’re dividing the community. I think you should step back and build that foundation first.”

Currently, Raymond Elementary School and Jordan Small operate at half-capacity. Those who favor closing Jordan-Small point to projected cost savings of $230,000 a year by combining Kindergarten through Grade 8 into Raymond Elementary School. But with Windham schools already operating at capacity, many at the meeting questioned the wisdom of closing the school and packing nine grades and about 450 students into 22 classrooms at Raymond Elementary.

“I still can’t understand how a school district that has all the schools in Windham at over-capacity, the answer to solve our problems with the school system is to put Raymond at full capacity. It doesn’t make any sense to me,” said Gregg Tangen of Raymond.

Others such as former Raymond school board member Teresa Sadak, who took part in the consolidation process two years ago, challenged the board to remember the original purpose of Gov. John Baldacci’s school consolidation proposal.

“The whole point of Baldacci’s plan, as it was my understanding being on the consolidation committee, was to consolidate and lower administrative costs, not close schools,” Sadak said, questioning the lack of central office cutbacks. “I think it needs to be looked at more in the budget.”

Other speakers suggested the school board search for other ways to raise money.

“Looking at facilities being closed is creating a really negative vibe in these communities at a time when we should be coming together to look for more creative solutions,” said Martin Shuer, a Windham parent who then suggested the school board consider allowing national retailers who have a local presence – such as Wal-Mart – to advertise within the school system.

“Both Windham and Raymond residents … support these businesses and they thrive on our dollars and on our students buying school supplies there. If some incentives could be done to give these businesses … it’d be a win-win,” he said.

More feedback

In a departure from last week’s meeting where school board members gave little feedback to public comment, members this week were more vocal. At the request of one speaker, the weight of each member’s vote was discussed, with it being revealed that of the 1,000 total votes represented by the nine board members, Windham members hold 780, meaning that Windham members alone could approve a Raymond school closure. However, Raymond voters would have the last word since state law requires the school closing proposal go to a Raymond-only referendum vote.

About 15 minutes before the close of the meeting, emotions ran high. Carrie Colby of Raymond, who spoke last week, again questioned why the board hadn’t toured the Raymond schools prior to making the suggestion of closing Jordan-Small, which Vice Chair Mike Duffy clarified by saying all school board members have indeed been through the school. After Duffy spoke, board member Michael Mack passionately defended the board’s attempt to save taxpayer money by offering the idling option.

“You can’t be realistic and think we’re going to be getting the same amount of money year after year,” Mack said to Colby. “We are facing cuts and they’re getting worse year after year and we’re trying to be proactive and think ahead. I’d love to be optimistic and say the state and feds are going to give us as much as we got last year, but I know that’s not true. The global economy is going down the tubes. Just look at the news … We’re just trying to be proactive and find out what we have to do to keep our teachers employed and our kids educated. And if we have to look at the physical facilities and being creative in the use of that, that’s what we have to do … We’re trying our best to meet the challenges that are ahead of us. We’re not doing this out of spite or putting the screws to Raymond. We’re doing this because we’re trying to find realistic options.”

To that, Colby replied, “Well, I can say this is not a realistic option, it’s not even feasible.”

“And we’re hearing that, OK? We’re hearing that,” Mack said.

While it was unclear when the board would again take up the matter, Pennels indicated that there may be further public hearings before the board votes. Duffy ended the meeting by saying that all parents and residents interested in finding creative ways to meet the expected budget shortfall for next year are welcomed to bring their ideas forward.

“I heard an awful lot from people wanting to help and you know we’re only nine people here, and in my opinion, consider yourself asked. Everyone in Raymond, everyone in Windham, you are formally asked by me to put your heads together and help make education better in the RSU,” Duffy said.