Lubec voters to decide fate of high school

On Wednesday, June 23, Lubec residents will decide by referendum vote whether to close or keep open the Lubec High School. The referendum is required since the MSAD 19 board of directors voted 4-1 to close the high school at an April 4 meeting.

The factors at hand are the significant reduction of about $579,000 in state funding for the school system because of the Essential Programs and Services (EPS) funding formula used by the state to calculate local share of school costs. The EPS funding formula is thought to unfairly penalize Downeast coastal communities that are considered by the state to have properties with high potential real estate market values, but where incomes and ability to pay high real estate taxes do not match that possible value.

The high school and elementary school are all under one large roof. SAD 19 Superintendent Brian Carpenter explains that, to determine if there are any savings or costs associated with closing the high school, the school is required by the state to use the last audited year's figures, in this case fiscal year 2009. Using those budget numbers as well as the highest cost case scenario of sending all the high school students to Washington Academy, the savings would amount to $3,553, Carpenter says. As for staff, Carpenters says that four teachers, one vocational teacher and one or two educational technicians would be cut. Principal Peter Doak says of those employees, "Most of them live here in town."

Doak is not sure how the school facility would be configured to accommodate the high school's closure. While there are two separate heating systems, the location of the library, cafeteria and some of the offices would mean continuing to heat those areas in an otherwise shut-down section. "Something would have to be done" about this, he says. Maintenance on the entire building would need to continue regardless of a portion of the facility no longer being used. Bus drivers would be retained. Carpenter says, "Since the board voted on [school] choice, as it stands we're responsible for transporting the students to another school within an hour's distance."

"I don't think anyone wants to see the school close," Doak says. He notes that there is a fair amount of anxiety in the students about the possible closure. There are currently 34 students in the high school, six of whom are seniors. "They don't necessarily want to go to another school. We're a very close-knit school."

According to school board member Barbara Sellitto, the board agreed to have Superintendent Carpenter be the spokesperson for the board on budget and school closure issues. Because the school is required to use those fiscal year 2009 numbers, Carpenter asks, "Will there be savings? I really can't say. All the variables won't be answered until the referendum vote."

Doak voices his concern about the potential vote outcome. "I think once you lose your school, you aren't going to get it back. Until they [the superintendent and board] could show us the figures of cost savings, a lot of this is 'guestimating.'"

If the voters choose to close the high school, Carpenter says his office will be ready to act. "The letter of closure has been approved by the state." He lists the actions that would be taken. "The staff members would be informed; we'd contact the receiving schools C this gives them an idea so they can plan for their year; we'd calculate the cost of closing down the facility; parents would be informed; students would need to decide on their school choice; student records would be transferred."

Carpenter stresses that the questions of closing to high school has nothing to do with the alternative organizational structure (AOS) vote on June 15. "There's some confusion out there. It's a completely separate issue."