RSU 1 presents state‑supported consolidation option that could close Phippsburg Elementary

Patrick Manuel, RSU 1 superintendent, told the Phippsburg Select Board on March 25 that the district has been offered an opportunity to participate in a state‑supported elementary school construction project that would combine Dightonville, Fisher Mitchell and Phippsburg into a single new facility likely sited in Bath.

"This is simply an opportunity," Manuel said, repeatedly stressing that the district was providing information to Phippsburg residents and that no decision rests with the superintendent or school board alone. He described prior projects that received large shares of state funding and said the district anticipates a similar funding split for the new cycle, while noting state contributions could fall in future cycles.

Manuel gave a series of operational and cost details for the existing Phippsburg school: "In FY25 it was approximately $170,000 to do the annual maintenance on this facility," he said, and cited recent repairs including about $115,000 for paving and roughly $10,000 for a card‑access system. He also listed a likely carpet replacement project at an estimated $75,000.

Residents pressed the district on logistics and local impacts. Parents and others said long bus rides and pickup logistics would be hard on younger children, especially pre‑K pupils who currently rely on parent pickup; one parent described daily driving burdens if the pre‑K and other schedules did not align. Several speakers said Phippsburg Elementary is a "community hub," and warned that losing the school could reduce the town's attractiveness to young families. A longtime resident said, "Phippsburg is a gem," and urged care in any decision.

Manuel addressed transportation as an unknown at this stage, saying routing would depend on final site choices and bus allocations but noting the district has discussed efficiencies with its transportation provider. He also said class‑size policy would limit any increases in student load per classroom and that job retention for classroom teachers and support staff would be considered if a consolidation reduced total facilities. On nursing staffing, Manuel said most RSU 1 schools have full‑time nurses and that part‑time nursing at the smallest sites reflected student counts.

Timeline and next steps were framed for local voters: Manuel said the district expects the Phippsburg decision point to be "around the end of May," the district referendum is scheduled for November and any town participation would appear on that referendum if the town chooses to join. The Select Board and residents agreed to hold an informational session at Phippsburg Elementary on April 7 at 6 p.m. and to prepare for discussion at the town meeting on June 9.

The board did not take a binding vote on the consolidation at the March 25 meeting; instead, it authorized public outreach and scheduled follow‑up informational events so voters can weigh tradeoffs before any formal town decision.