STARKS – Residents voted 72 to 5 in favor of joining Mt. Blue Regional School District at the polls today, according to town official Jennifer Hebert. Now it’s up to the voters of RSU 9 to approve the merger.
One week from today, on Tuesday, April 24, voters in RSU 9’s nine towns will go to the polls and be asked if the town of Starks should become the school district’s 10th town. Supporters of the plan say the reorganization of RSU 9 will eventually increase enrollment for an additional 50 to 60 students while adding another $400,000 in state subsidy and funding to support the local share from Starks, without additional teachers or services beyond busing needed. In addition, residents who used to go to Madison for school and athletic events, will now be coming to Farmington, which may bring with it an increase in revenue at businesses.
“It’s a win-win proposition,” said Superintendent Michael Cormier.
RSU 9 is providing all of the transportation of students to Farmington schools, but MSAD 59 will transport only from Madison to the Starks Town Office and along Route 43 to and from Madison. To provide the service, RSU 9 will need to add a bus and part-time driver to cover transporting all the students at a cost of $53,000, according to the 2012-2013 budget draft.
In the first year, Starks students will be given a choice of attending either RSU 59 or RSU 9. The second year, students may remain at their current location or switch, but that is a one-time option. Third-year Starks students enrolling will attend RSU 9 schools unless they have a superintendent’s agreement.
Cormier said he expects primary students to enroll in RSU 9’s Mallett School in Farmington, Cape Cod Hill School in New Sharon or Cascade Brook School in Farmington, but current high school students will probably want to stay with their classes at Madison High School.
In January, the town of Starks voted to withdraw from RSU 59’s schools, which are located in Madison, and join RSU 9. Starks will be represented by one school board director for a new total of 16 members on the RSU 9 board.
Polling places and times for the RSU 9 vote on April 24 are:
Chesterville Town Office, from 2 to 6 pm.
Farmington Community Center, from noon to 6 p.m.
Industry Town Hall, from noon to 6 p.m.
New Sharon Town Office, from 1 to 6 p.m.
New Vineyard Smith Hall, from 2 to 6 p.m.
Temple Town Hall, from 3 to 7 p.m.
Vienna Fire Station, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Weld Town Office, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Wilton Town Office, from noon to 6 p.m.
Please come and vote on the 24th to allow Starks to enter the RSU 9 family. It will benefit all ten towns. RSU 9 has the capacity to take in the starks students without any problems.