Residents discuss benefits and drawbacks of leaving RSU 21
Arundel residents met to discuss possible benefits and repercussions
of passing a petition that will allow the town to withdraw from Regional
School Unit 21.
For two and half hours, the board and approximately 90 members of the
public listened to various opinions from Arundel residents about
whether the withdrawal petition should pass.
Those in favor of the petition and who want Arundel to leave the
district said the petition will help save on overall costs and regain
control of spending. Those in opposition of the petition are worried
education will falter if Arundel severs ties with the district. RSU 21
consists of Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.
On April 10, Arundel residents will have the opportunity to vote on
whether they will ultimately leave the district. According to Rep. Wayne
Parry of District 140, Arundel only needs 50 percent plus one vote to
either pass or oppose the petition because of a recent law change that
adjusted the ratio from a two-thirds majority to simple majority vote.
District 140 is made up of Arundel, Dayton, part of Kennebunk and part
of Lyman.
“It is 50 percent plus one, but you need a minimum of 50 percent of
(people who voted in) the last gubernatorial election to come and vote,”
said Parry, adding that the statute prevents a small number of voters
from deciding major decisions in the town.
“There will have to be approximately 950 people turn out to vote in
favor,” said Arundel Town Manager Todd Shea, when asked by a member of
the public exactly how many votes would be needed.
If the petition passes, it would allow municipal officers to use no
more than $35,000 to form a withdrawal committee designed to explore
future education options with the help of unbiased advisors. The
withdrawal committee would consist of one municipal officer, one member
of the public and one member from those who initially filed the
petition, Shea said.
