Millinocket voters to weigh proposal to unite schools

MILLINOCKET – In addition to electing school board members during municipal elections next week, voters will consider a non- binding advisory referendum question regarding the consolidation of area schools.

Officials stressed the special advisory referendum question was designed to give elected officials a sense of how the town feels about the issue.

The question reads, “Do you favor efforts of the four area school boards – Millinocket, East Millinocket, Medway and Woodville – to explore issues involving the possible consolidation of schools in the area and other areas of mutual cooperation ?”

All four school board candidates said they support the efforts now under way by a newly formed committee that is studying the consolidation issue.

The polls for municipal elections will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, at Stearns High School.

Four residents are running for two three-year terms on the school board. Candidates are incumbent Jean Cyr, Shelley Farrington, Jolene Plourde and Gilda Stratton.

Cyr, 42, a financial service representative at the Katahdin Federal Credit Union, said one future issue will be to recruit new teachers as many of the school system’s veteran work force could retire in the next few years. She said she will work toward providing incentives to attract young teachers.

Cyr said she supports the efforts under way to study consolidation of area schools. She said something needs to be done in light of declining school enrollments.

“There is so much these communities could offer every child,” said Cyr. She said the challenge facing the school system is to hold onto programs, especially in light of declining enrollments. “By working together, we can provide students better opportunities,” said Cyr.

Farrington, 32, a mother and news reporter at the Katahdin Times, said the big issue for the school department is finding ways to keep and attract quality teachers.

Farrington said one way to provide students with good programs and attract quality teachers could come through the consolidation of area schools.

“We may do things well, but we could do so much more and so much better, if we work together,” said Farrington. “The time has come to do that.” She said she believes a consolidated school system could mean offering quality young teachers better wages and provide staff development incentives.

Plourde, 33, a homemaker and foster care worker, said declining enrollment is a major issue facing the school system.

“If we were to consolidate, we could fill the classrooms,” she said. “Unfortunately, we would have to get rid of some teachers, but at least we would have more money to offer the teachers we did have.”

Plourde said she supports area school consolidation. She said she believes the school system could save a lot of money and children would benefit because more funding would be available to provide them with more activities. “If we consolidate, we would be able to get a good base of education for these kids,” she said.

Stratton, 55, an administrative specialist paralegal, said the big issue facing the school department is declining enrollment and declining subsidies. She said lots of schools across the country are looking at consolidation in an effort to cut costs.

“We are so close together and have so many talented children in this area,” Stratton said. “Before we lose the high level of education that we can have, I would rather see us put our heads together and think what is best for these kids.”

Stratton said enrollment predictions made in a 1988 study were very close to where schools are today. “We have to think what is best for these kids,” she said.

Stratton also is concerned about low pay rates for young teachers.