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Board deadlocks on Sydneys request to use James H. Bean School for Nov. 3 voting
Summary
After extensive debate over safety, disruption to students and alternatives, a motion to deny Sydneys request to use James H. Bean School for the November election failed on a 4to4 weighted tie; the board asked the superintendent to seek a town representative for the next meeting before reconsideration.
The town of Sydney asked the RSU 18 board to allow James H. Bean School to be used as a polling location for the Nov. 3 election. The superintendent (S3) summarized prior communications and operational constraints; Carrie Brennan (S9), principal of James H. Bean School, told the board, "As principal of the school, it is my job to advocate to have our students in the building every day that we are scheduled to be in the building," and described impacts including lost instructional time and disrupted meal and safety procedures.
Board members split over options. Some said denying the request would force the town to find alternate certified venues; others urged the superintendent to negotiate and asked the town to send a representative to explain why alternatives could not be secured. A motion to deny the request was put to a vote and the tally produced a weighted 4to4 split; the motion failed. The board then directed the superintendent to seek further information and invited a Sydney representative to present at the next meeting should the town seek reconsideration.
