Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Closure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
RSU 04 board approves vote to close Sabatus Primary School; weighted tally 922–79
Summary
At a regular RSU 04 school board meeting, members voted to adopt the motion to close Sabatus Primary School. The board and staff reviewed the two‑thirds voting threshold and the referendum mechanics by which towns can keep the school open.
RSU 04 school board members voted to adopt a motion to close Sabatus Primary School during their meeting, with the board announcing a weighted tally of 922 in favor and 79 opposed.
The motion to approve the closure was offered and seconded during the board’s old‑business agenda item. Board members took a roll call vote; those recorded as voting yes were Diane, Nicole, Robbie, Doug, Theresa, Christie, Laura and Matt. One member, Scott, was absent. The board chair announced that the weighted threshold required for the motion was met.
Board members and staff spent time reviewing the legal and referendum process tied to the decision. A board speaker explained that the vote requires an affirmative vote equal to two‑thirds of the voting power of those serving on the school board at the time of the vote and emphasized that the town‑level referendum process determines whether the school actually remains open. The transcript records a clarification in the meeting: if any one of the three member towns votes to close the school at referendum, the school will be closed; all three towns would have to vote to keep it open.
Board members referenced a December 18 workshop as the principal forum for prior discussion and acknowledged additional work done by central office staff to prepare the information needed for the vote. Multiple board members thanked staff for the materials and the state reporting required to proceed.
The board approved the motion as presented; the meeting record shows no amendments or motions to table. The board chair said an attested copy of the vote will be filed with the minutes.
The board and staff also noted next steps for public information: material related to the closure, including the report and cost analysis submitted to the Maine Department of Education, will be posted to the district website under the “closing of SPS” section and shared with member towns.
No further procedural challenges or successful motions to reverse the vote were recorded during the meeting.
