[Schoolconsolidation] More Information for Upcoming meetings to the Arundel Citizens-IMPORTANT

[Couture, Judie]

To The Arundel School Board and Citizens,

Last night I attended the school consolidation meeting in Saco.  It was
brought up at this meeting that there are several important meetings
that are coming up this October.  That the school board decision on
which RSU to go with will be made on October 10th.  Also, that Saco,
Dayton, OOB will be coming to Arundel on October 1st (next Monday) to
discuss their educational guidelines and teacher's training and
philosophy with the Arundel School Board.  Than, I believe another
meeting is being scheduled with the Arundel School Board/Committee that
week to use as a "work shop" (Date needs to be made public and changes
in dates need to updated on school website). The School Board/Committee
will be  going through everything that has been collected from Kennebunk
and Saco to see what is the best RSU to go with.  Than October 10th is
"D" Day.  The day that the School Board will make it decision on which
RSU to go with and to send to the voters to vote on. After that, I am
not sure what will take place.  

There still are concerns about:  The MLD School and what will happen to
the school?  The Thornton Middle School Contract.  Last night the
facilitator for Saco said that there are still some questions to that
contract.  The School Board needs to demand facts on this from the State
or Legislators to get these facts, so you can inform Arundel not
speculate. "I do not know" is not an answer at this point to give the
community. I know the state is making it difficult.  It is time to
demand answers from them.  My husband spoke with Headmaster Stasio from
TA and he said the contract will continue for 9 years and that the town
will decide on that contract to renew it in 4 years. Thornton I am sure
has covered these issues with their attorney's as well as the State of
Maine.  So I would not disregard what they say. The Dept. of Education
has stated that the town of Arundel will vote to continue that contract,
but the question is who will be negotiating that contract?  I have heard
the Selectman and I also have heard the RSU will be negotiating that
contract for the town of Arundel with whatever decision the town votes
on to either continue it or not in four years, but they cannot end that
contract, only Arundel can.  Also  that all contracts will not be broken
they will continue in full.  I think that needs to be clarified. Also,
no matter what Saco or Kennebunk want Arundel to do in regards to this
Oct. 10th deadline. Do we have to make a decision just yet?   Is there
anything from the State mandating Arundel to make a decision by October
10th?  It might be in Arundel's best interest to wait and see what the
Legislators change in January. The facilitator for Saco, stated that
there will be probable changes in the financial equation for the RSU,
since the numbers are not adding up right, and possibly other
significant changes, maybe Arundel needs to wait and find out.  It might
be more "cost affective" and in our towns best interest to wait and see,
even if Saco and Kennebunk want an answer. However, Arundel can continue
with these meetings as you are now to keep the process moving forward.
Neither potential RSU might not like it, but Arundel has a lot to loose.
As the facilitator pointed out in Saco, some towns in this state are
meeting for the very first time this week.  Also a number of Letters of
Intent have been turned down in Northern Maine because a lot of small
towns like ours are fighting this.  There are significant changes that
could happen in just 3 months.  Saco and Kennebunk might not be happy,
but Arundel may want to do what's best for Arundel.  They may not like
it, but it is our town that has to give up far more control of its
school and possible school closure than Kennebunk or Saco, their schools
won't close, but they could inherit our children and our money- excuse
me tax dollars for years to come.  We need to think about that and not
give in so easily. 

Secondly, if the school board chooses a RSU that the town votes down.
Will the town of Arundel go back and talk with the RSU it walked away
from? Or is it to late because that RSU has moved on without us?  Are we
stuck with the decision you have made even if the town votes it down?
Will the town be penalized by the state if we vote it down?  My husband,
myself and another Arundel Resident  was told by a School Board Member
last night they did not know the answer yet to that and that the town is
divided right down the middle.  That citizens that do not have their
children in the school system and not attending the meetings will most
likely vote to send the children to Kennebunk because it is the closest
to the town of Arundel and Saco is just too far. I guess than that every
vote counts!  Arundel needs to get out in vote and speak to the School
Board. No final decision has been made as of yet. Although some of us
believe that they have already made up their minds.   However, what the
school board intends to do with that vote remains to be seen.

I think it is imperative that the School Board as "Elected Officials" of
the town, make sure that again, you provide the town with all the
important dates and the significance  of these dates, so that the town
is aware what this all means. I have attended many meetings. If I had
not gone, than I would have not known when the next meeting was taking
place and what for.  Not every citizen is aware of that. Please on the
Arundel website, place these dates with the significance of what they
mean so the town will know.  I also think it should be posted at the
School and Town Hall for those citizens that do not have children in the
School will know or at least send out a card informing the town of these
dates so every attempt has been made to contact the public by the School
Board.  This decision is one of the most important decisions this town
has ever voted on you need to let every one know. This decision will not
only impact our children, but the community for years to come.  Please,
do not let this go by without making every effort to inform the town.
Long after you no longer sit on the school board, your decision will
ultimately affect every one in this town!  Many lives and people you
face every day in this town will be affected by your decision. Many
citizens are closely watching you and the Selectman that seem very
involved.  Also, their children, the school teachers, administrators,
bus drivers, nurse, cooking staff, Tech. staff, and ultimately our
control of our school and possible closure of our school are all
affected by this not to mention the financial impact on our community.
I know that each RSU will provide a good education, Arundel has done
that for years.  Our children have gone onto secondary education and
have done well. But this will ultimately divide this community for a
very long time and that is what needs to be avoided. Look what happen to
Arundel and Kennebunk for years that rift ran very deep.  That would be
ashamed if this happens to our town.  Right now that is a very real
possibility.  

This comment is to the Arundel Community.  The School Board and
appointed committee members have been working diligently and taking many
hours away from their own families busy schedules on behalf of the town
of Arundel. I have attended many meetings and I know where I am sending
my children to school. It is time for Arundel to get involved.  There
have been very few of you at these meetings.  You cannot complain if you
do not go.  Your children do not have a vote in this decision.  However,
they will have to live with the consequences of this decision for years
to come. Not all children adapt to change very well.  Especially those
with special needs.  I do not believe all children "bounce back" from
being taken out of their surroundings, especially at the elementary
level, and it can be very difficult for them.  You are their advocate,
you are their parents. Your vote and comments are important for them and
all the other children that have not entered the doors of MLD School.
Many people involved with this decision (school board members, committee
members, selectman) have neither no children or children that are in
high school and will not be affected by whatever decision they make,
some will. This does not mean they are not trying to do what is right,
but that is still fact.  But more importantly, the Arundel Community
cannot complain if they do not go and voice their opinion and concerns
to the school board. The School Board is ready to make their decision.  

The next meetings are very critical meetings.  Saco is coming to
Arundel, listen to what they have to say about their educational process
and opportunities. For those who are interested in this RSU should
listen to this, and let Saco know your questions or concerns and
support.  Kennebunk/Wells came to Arundel I listened it was very
informative. The workshop is "very important" the school board and
committee members will be going over everything in order to make a
decision for Arundel.  And more importantly, the "Decision" on October
10th. Once that decision is made it is a done-all you can do is vote for
it or against it. Arundel is stuck with it there is right now no
changing our minds. The RSU once it is voted on by the town and passes
will take ownership of our school, buses and everything associates with
that school it no longer will belong to Arundel, but turned over to the
RSU (Kennebunk or Saco).  As it stands now with Kennebunk it is 60-20-20
(Arundel 20%) that will be our input on our school.  With Saco it is a
weighted vote, the city of Saco will be divided up into sections so that
it will be Arundel/Saco, Dayton/Saco, OOB/Saco, Saco/Saco and one
withstanding.   This is what we are dealt with, Tell someone, come and
listen, get involved.  If you don't than when the answer comes that you
don't like, you cannot say a word. You and your family will have to live
with the outcome and so wont everyone else in this community that we
call Arundel.

Thank you
Judie Couture, Arundel Resident and parent of 3 children in the school
system...


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