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Committee presses ahead on RSU 10 withdrawal outreach; plans public forums and FAQs
Summary
Committee members said the withdrawal process remains early and urged more public education: three town forums, paper FAQs at town offices and school pick-up points, and an emphasis on explaining effects for students and services. They discussed timing relative to a possible May 21 DOE submission.
Committee members spent a large portion of the meeting discussing how to engage residents about a potential withdrawal from RSU 10, stressing that the process is at an early stage and that the committee has ‘‘no numbers to share’’ yet.
S2 reported that RSU 10 appears to be starting its own withdrawal process; members noted any withdrawal would likely be multi-year and subject to voter approval and Department of Education review. S1 urged the committee to hold public forums in each of the three towns — Buckfield, Hartford and Sumner — so residents can ask questions and the committee can respond when it has verified information to share.
Why it matters: Teachers and residents have raised concerns about impacts on curriculum, staffing and services. Committee members repeatedly emphasized that certain services are outside the committee’s authority and that the Department of Education must approve any withdrawal plan.
Details from the meeting: The committee agreed to prepare FAQs drawn from the Gambit survey and to make paper copies available at town offices and schools for residents without internet access. Members discussed options for additional outreach, including a county-courier ad and postcards that would list meeting times and links to the online survey. S2 estimated a postcard campaign would cost roughly $660; members said they will delay broad mailings until they have firmer information to present.
Next steps: The committee expects the educational consultant and lawyer to join the April meeting by Zoom to help define homework for members and to advise on budget and timeline; members discussed a potential May 21 target for submitting a withdrawal packet to the Department of Education. The committee set objectives for the next meeting to include a communications strategy and budget clarification.
