Newburgh students to attend Hampden Fourth-, fifth-graders’ move temporary

HAMPDEN – SAD 22 board of directors endorsed a committee recommendation on Wednesday night to send Newburgh fourth- and fifth-graders to George B. Weatherbee School in the fall.

The district’s education committee proposed the arrangement as a temporary solution to declining enrollments. As part of their decision on Wednesday, the directors also voted to invite one community member from Hampden, Newburgh and Winterport to join the committee and formulate a more permanent solution by January 2009, said Superintendent Rick Lyons.

The committee also had suggested moving the Newburgh students to Wagner Middle School in Winterport to combat declining enrollment at that school. Numerous Newburgh parents were upset by that proposal, since fifth-grade students currently go to Weatherbee and then on to Reeds Brook Middle School, both located in Hampden. Parents pointed to lower test scores at Wagner and longer travel time as reasons against the option.

The board also received an update about the outdoor graduation fundraising. Hampden Academy seniors have currently raised $1,500 for the graduation ceremony and expect to make another $1,500 at events scheduled in the next few weeks, Lyons said. The board also has pledged $1,500. At the May 7 board meeting, the group will discuss how to help close the gap and raise the $10,000 necessary for the outdoor event.