RSU 23 board approves LMS consolidation after public comment

The RSU 23 School Board voted 4–1 on April 17 to approve the consolidation plan for LMS after a public comment period that raised concerns about the proposed schedule change. The vote took place at Old Orchard Beach Town Hall; voting yes were Craig Evans, Peter Flaherty, Donna Moutsatsos and Barbara Roberge. Santino Perrone voted no.

Public commenters spoke for roughly 22 minutes during the meeting’s public session, focusing on the LMS schedule change and its impacts on families and students. The transcript records multiple members of the public urging the board to consider scheduling impacts but does not record individual speaker names or direct quotes.

Board member Peter Flaherty made the consolidation motion, seconded by Donna Moutsatsos. During the meeting Superintendent John Suttie emphasized student safety in conjunction with the proposal, saying, "Student safety is at the forefront of everything we say and do." He reported that 41% of district students ride buses, that 73% live within two miles of school, and that bus disciplinary referrals are under 1% districtwide (2 at JES, 2 at the high school and 7 at LMS).

The board did not record an amendment to the motion on the floor; the consolidation passed with a single dissent from Perrone. The board did not specify in the meeting record whether additional operational details (for example, routing changes or staffing for the consolidated sites) were finalized at this session. Superintendent Suttie said the district would "re-engage and get a bus aide on every bus" if the proposal is implemented.

Next steps noted in the meeting record: implementation logistics and staffing follow-up are to be handled by district administration. The board did not set a new public hearing date in the minutes for further discussion of consolidation details.