FARMINGTON – About 35 or 40 people showed up to find out more about the proposed MSAD 9 and MSAD 58 plan to merge at Mt. Blue High School Tuesday night. The discussion revolved around what would happen if it did pass and the consequences if it didn’t pass come Nov. 4.
If voters do approve merging two districts and two plantations into one, 3,200-student super district, 25 directors would serve on the school board, with seven members from Farmington, four from Wilton and the rest of the towns would have one representative each. According to the state law, nothing would change in the first year if approved but then as enrollments, and other needs shift, so to will the complexion of the district’s schools and personnel.
Because the school expenditures and property values of the two districts are different, costs will shift. MSAD 58 is spending 24 percent over the Essential Programs and Services model used by the state to fund school subsidy because of its smaller, but more spread-out population. In contrast, MSAD 9 spends 6 percent over the EPS guide because its schools are more centralized to serve more students with fewer buildings.
But, because MSAD 9’s valuation is higher than that of MSAD 58, if both were to merge, MSAD 9’s towns would carry a greater burden of the cost, which is estimated at $750,000 to $1 million more.
“There is a fear in MSAD 58 that has four elementary schools that some many have to close,” said MSAD 9 Superintendent Michael Cormier. “Can they afford to keep all the schools open? SAD 58 is talking about closing Mt. Abram High School and sending their students to Mt. Blue. These are the unknowns.”
That fear and the idea that Farmington and Wilton’s school board representatives would present a voting majority, have people in MSAD 58 wondering if their voice would be heard in such a large district.
As for savings, most agree, that’s a difficult one to assess given all the variables. Possible areas of savings may come in administrative services, redundant staffing and in collaborative purchases. One thing everyone agrees is that if any savings were to take place it’s not happening in the first few years.
“The savings aren’t there. Our costs are in people and some hard decisions ahead will need to be made,” Cormier said.
Then there was the question of ‘what if we don’t vote to merge?’
A $400,000 penalty fine would be levied in MSAD 9 if an alternative plan isn’t submitted. MSAD 9 is planning on submitting an alternative plan to stand alone and keep its current district with its 2,300 students. A total of 2,500 students is desirable, but a minimum of 1,200 students is allowed under the law.
If SAD 9 votes yes to merge and SAD 58 votes no, the plan does not pass. A majority of voters from both districts need to approve the plan in order for it to pass.
Both school boards have voted to not recommend the plan passing by 7-1 in MSAD 58 and 13-1 in MSAD 9.
“It’s hard to support this,” said Ray Glass, MSAD 9’s school board chair. “We were obligated to take this on. My guess is the voters will turn this down.”
