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Board authorizes superintendent to explore tuition contracts as 10-year withdrawal deal ends
Summary
With its 10-year withdrawal agreement set to expire June 30, the board voted unanimously to empower the superintendent to explore interest from neighboring districts in tuition contracts; staff outlined options including contracts (2–10 years) and a required special town meeting to authorize negotiations.
The West Bath School Board voted unanimously on Oct. 16 to empower the superintendent to explore interest from neighboring school districts in negotiating tuition contracts after the district's 10-year withdrawal agreement concludes June 30. Chair (speaker 1) moved the action and the board approved it without recorded opposition.
Staff member (speaker 3) told the board that under the existing withdrawal agreement the district currently provides a "school of guarantee" for grades 6–12 and that the arrangement directs 75% of tuition funds to RSU 1 while allowing 25% for school choice. Speaker 3 cautioned that if the agreement expires without replacement, "your superintendent will have to look to find a school for every single 1 of our 6 through 12 students in on an individual basis with no guarantee that anyone will accept them. There's no guarantee." The staff member outlined tuition contracts as an alternative (terms of 2–10 years, exclusive or nonexclusive) and explained that the voters must authorize negotiation at a special town meeting before the board can finalize any contract.
Board members asked about the 10-year term, whether school choice would continue under future contracts and whether other districts had been engaged during the original negotiations. The staff member recommended forming an ad hoc board committee to gather priorities and guide public engagement ahead of any town meeting request.
