The RSU 4 Board of Directors voted unanimously to petition the Western Maine Regional Service Center (WMRSC) for membership and to authorize the superintendent to enter a membership agreement on the district’s behalf.

Superintendent Marco explained the reasoning for joining: by pooling resources with neighboring districts, the district would pay annual membership dues of $2.25 per student (based on the board’s October 1 count) and, in return, the state would provide a member allocation. The superintendent said the district’s dues would be roughly $2,800 annually and that the service center’s bookkeeper estimated RSU 4’s state allocation at approximately $70,000 per year.

Board members raised governance and obligation questions. Doug and others asked what the district would be expected to share or provide to other members. Marco and other trustees explained the center’s emphasis in Western Maine is currently on gifted‑and‑talented programming, professional development and shared events (including a “Western Maine Discovery Day” for grades 3–6 at the University of Maine at Farmington), though regional service centers can offer a broader set of shared services.

The board discussed practical details raised during the meeting:
- Dues timing and invoicing: membership invoices are emailed in July; joining in December would allow the district to appear eligible for the 2026‑27 member allocation, with invoicing occurring in the following fiscal cycle.
- The district’s one‑time administrative cost was not required; the ongoing obligation is the annual per‑pupil dues if the board continues membership.
- The meeting record included a reference to state statute governing education service centers (quoted in the meeting as “20‑A chapter 1, 2, 3 education service centers”), and trustees asked administration to confirm statutory obligations and any reporting requirements.

Several board members asked to delay final paperwork until the superintendent could confirm specifics with existing member superintendents and the WMRSC executive director. The superintendent said there is a December deadline to petition the center to appear on the member allocation for the 2026‑27 year; after discussion the board voted to approve the membership and also asked administration to follow up with additional verification of obligations and how the allocation is recorded in state budget lines.

Why it matters: Joining a regional service center can provide per‑pupil money from the state and access to shared programs such as gifted‑and‑talented offerings, professional development and regional events. Board members sought clarity about what the district would be required to purchase or provide to qualify for the state allocation.

Next steps: Administration agreed to contact WMRSC officers and superintendents from member districts to confirm the program and reporting requirements, and to report back at the next meeting. The superintendent will also confirm timing for invoicing and the administrative steps needed to finalize membership.

Vote: The board approved petitioning the Western Maine Regional Service Center for membership and authorized the superintendent to execute the membership agreement (unanimous).

Speakers quoted in this article are listed in the speakers section; supporting transcript excerpts are in the provenance section.