Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Kindergarten Consolidation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents and town officials urge RSU 38 to reverse kindergarten consolidation; motion to reinstate fails
Summary
Dozens of residents and local officials urged RSU 38 to reverse a decision moving kindergarten and pre‑K out of Wayne and Mount Vernon, citing harm to young children and community viability; a motion to direct the administration to keep kindergarten in all four elementary schools failed 4–8, and the board adopted the FY2026–27 budget.
Dozens of parents, town officials and educators asked the RSU 38 Board of Directors on Monday to reverse a decision to move kindergarten and pre‑K students from Wayne and Mount Vernon to other district schools, saying the change threatens community schools and harms very young children.
Speakers including John Harker, who said his proposal would use surplus funds to “reinstat[e] the kindergarten programs in Mount Vernon and Wayne this year” without increasing taxes, urged the board to pause the plan and allow broader community participation. Teresa Kirchner, a member of the Wayne Local School Advisory Board, said the vote was made "without notice" to town leaders and formally requested a one‑year delay so the strategic planning process can operate from a position of trust. Mount Vernon parent Lilia Botino told the board, “This is not a minor adjustment. It is a decision with lasting consequences for very young children,” and cited concerns about long bus rides and early‑childhood development.
The board’s public comment period produced petitions and organized opposition: speakers reported collecting more than 140 signatures in three days and, separately, a packet with 262 names from Wayne residents. Several commenters argued the move undermines the consolidation agreement’s intent to protect small‑town schools and warned that shifting students could produce a long‑term decline in local enrollment.
Board member David moved to "direct the Maranacook schools administration to recalculate the district plan in order to continue the kindergarten classes in each of the four elementary schools for this coming year." The motion was seconded and prompted extended deliberation about operational feasibility, enrollment projections and budget constraints. Principal Jacobs, speaking online, warned that multi‑age groupings “do not create just scheduling complications” and can make it difficult to deliver the district’s structured literacy program well; other board members stressed both educational and community arguments on opposite sides of the question.
On a roll call, the motion failed: four voted yes (Dan, Noah, Andrew, David) and eight opposed (Wendy, Kristen, David G, Chip, Leslie, Patricia, Sean, Brian); one member (Chad) was absent. Board members who opposed the motion repeatedly cited timing and budget constraints, and concerns that reopening the budget now would force staff or program shifts elsewhere.
The board then proceeded to adopt the fiscal year 2026–27 budget (see separate item) and approve related warrants. Commenters and several board members said the episode illustrated poor communication: multiple speakers said parents had no clear opportunity to comment before the original vote was taken. Several board members said the one‑year change had been presented as temporary and that a formal strategic planning process will continue over the summer and beyond.
Next steps: with the motion defeated, the district will implement the plan as approved for the coming year while the strategic planning work continues; the board approved warrants to authorize the budget meeting and validation referendum notice so voters will consider the budget as scheduled.
