Ashland Council proposes withdrawal from SAD 32

ASHLAND – The Town Council took SAD 32 officials by surprise this week when the council announced that it wanted the town to withdraw from the school district, citing increased costs and declining enrollment.

“I’m so angry at the Town Council,” Heidi Campbell, chairwoman of the SAD 32 board of directors, said Thursday after learning of the council’s actions earlier that day.

During a meeting on Tuesday, the five-member council voted unanimously to instruct Town Manager William “Ray” Beaulier to research the procedure and impact of Ashland leaving the district. He is expected to report back within 30 days, according to Beaulier.

SAD 32 is composed of Ashland, Oxbow, Portage, Garfield and Masardis.

The council announcement also cited Ashland’s voting against the $2.99 million budget as a reason for the withdrawal from the district. Although Ashland as a town voted against the budget, the other district towns approved the spending plan, which shows an increase of $181,606 over last year, according to the proposal. The budget was ultimately approved.

The district’s elementary and secondary schools are located in Ashland, with students from the surrounding towns transported to classes. Ashland pays 61 percent of the budget.

Information regarding student population and its decline was not available from the superintendent’s office. Roland Caron, the district executive, was not in the office and other personnel refused to supply the requested information, which is public information.

Campbell said the budget was increased, “but you can’t leave an even line forever.”

The chairwoman, who lives in Ashland, was unaware of the Town Council’s actions until 10 a.m. Thursday. According to Campbell, each town votes on the school budget during separate meetings within their own community. During Ashland’s budget meeting, the majority voted to defeat the school district’s spending plan.

Campbell said that the district must follow mandates, including providing an education for students with learning disabilities. The budget shows an increase of $24,454 in special education. Increases in salaries and benefits for most employees also are in the budget, as well as increases in the cost of supplies.

According to the Maine Department of Education, there are two dozen steps to be followed when a municipality wants to withdraw from a school district.

Initially, a petition signed by 10 percent of a municipality’s residents who voted in the last gubernatorial election must be presented to municipal officials. A special election also must be held to begin the process, with the results of the election presented to the state education commissioner.

A withdrawal committee, composed of a school board member, a municipal officer, a representative of the group filing the petition and a member of the general public, is established.

The committee is expected to formulate an agreement that details issues, such as where children will attend school, transportation for those students and how the real and personal property will be disposed of or divided. How funds are handled also is part of the plan, according to state officials.

A series of public hearings, meetings and a final vote also is held, according to the state requirements.