Mount Vernon forms nine-member task force to study alternatives to RSU38

The Mount Vernon Select Board voted to establish a nine‑member Educational Options Task Force (EOTF) to evaluate the town’s schooling options, including continued participation in RSU38 and potential alternatives.

The board took the action after residents and organizers presented a proposed charge and membership list tied to warrant articles approved at the June 13 town meeting. The task force was charged to "prepare a comprehensive viewpoint neutral written report to the town that examines the educational options available to the town of Mount Vernon, including continued participation in RSU38 and all identified alternatives," with a requested report date of Dec. 14, 2026, and an appropriation of $25,000 for consultant and legal costs.

Supporters said the work is intended to give the town clear, comparable options well before any RSU38 decision would affect local schools. "We want the committee to have public hearings, have discussion, just share progress, share sort of to date work, and get some feedback," said Deborah Bader, who urged public engagement and wider outreach on membership. Parent-organizers argued a timely options report would let families prepare, with one parent saying the group’s work would help residents "know what my options are as a parent and a member of this community." (Lily Batino)

Board members debated whether the task force’s timetable should precede RSU38’s strategic-plan release in March. Several members urged caution about producing a final report before the RSU’s study is available; others said having options in hand earlier would allow for public hearings and more considered choices. The board also discussed appointments procedure and a policy requiring résumés for committee nominees.

To move forward, the Select Board voted 5–0 to constitute the EOTF with nine seats and to advertise openings. The board scheduled appointments for July and said any consultant contracts would follow the town’s procurement rules. The select board will oversee expenditures and vet consultant procurements in accordance with existing bidding policy.

Next steps: the board will post the call for volunteers and résumés, appoint members at its July meeting, and the EOTF organizers said they plan to begin work promptly once the committee is formally constituted. The board and organizers said they expect the task force will hold public hearings as it prepares its options report.