Charleston to act on return of school

CHARLESTON – It is expected that residents will accept the former Charleston Elementary School from SAD 68 during a 7 p.m. special town meeting today at the Town Hall.

School directors voted earlier this month to transfer ownership of the building back to the town. Directors said their vote would be effective after residents in Charleston accepted the building and land before the Nov. 6 school board meeting.

Against the wishes of many local residents, directors permanently closed the elementary school in June last year because of structural problems and budget woes. The pupils are now bused to the Morton Avenue Elementary School in Dover-Foxcroft.

Angered by the board’s decision, town officials filed a withdrawal plan in August with the Department of Education. If the withdrawal plan meets all of the state requirements, the education commissioner will set a hearing date and a date for a referendum vote in Charleston to withdraw from the district. For the withdrawal plan to be executed, two-thirds of Charleston voters must give their blessing.

Pending the education commissioner’s decision, town officials are asking residents tonight to give them the authority to accept and expend donations and money from the Friends of Charleston School Fund to pay insurance costs and for the maintenance of the building until the annual town meeting.

Town officials have proposed that once the building is returned to the town and a withdrawal plan approved, the building will be renovated so pupils in kindergarten through grade five can be educated locally. The intent is to tuition children in grades six-12.