Board declines to deny Sydney's request to use James H. Bean School after tied vote; asks town to send representative

The RSU 18 Board of Directors spent more than an hour debating a request from the town of Sydney to use James H. Bean School as a polling location for the Nov. 3, 2026 election. Concerns centered on student safety, operational disruptions, costs and whether the town had pursued other certified polling sites.

Board member 2 moved to deny the request, saying, “So I'd like to make a motion to deny the request.” The motion was seconded, but when weighted votes were tallied the result was a 4–4 tie and the motion failed. The chair noted the tally and that the board had neither formally approved nor disapproved the request.

Principal Carrie Brennan told the board that her primary obligation was student attendance and welfare: “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.” She said a November election at the building would mean one day of lost in-person instruction and logistical disruptions to meals and physical education.

The superintendent's office had recommended that, if the board approves use of the building for a high-turnout election, the district designate the day as a remote instructional day. Several board members urged Sydney to identify alternate certified locations and asked the superintendent to press the town to pursue options. After the tied vote the board agreed to invite a Sydney representative to the next meeting to present substantial reasons and possible alternatives before making a final determination.

The board did not adopt a final policy change at the meeting and left the matter open for further discussion at a subsequent meeting when the town can respond.