Two towns divided on school additions Perry turns down expansion

Voters turned out at the polls on December 15 in Perry to cast ballots on whether or not to support a referendum question, requested by the school committee, to build a four-room modular classroom onto the Perry Elementary School. Residents turned down the request by a vote of 67 to 30, a disappointing outcome for school officials.

The question asked voters, "Shall the school committee of the Town of Perry be authorized to construct and equip a modular classroom on the site of the Perry Elementary School at a total cost not to exceed $425,000, and shall the municipal officers be authorized to issue bonds or notes in the name of the Town of Perry not to exceed $327,000 with the balance of project costs in the amount of $98,000 to be derived from the Perry School Department's undesignated fund balance?"

In a letter sent home to residents, parents and guardians of Perry school students, Principal Arlo Smith explained the overcrowding at the school and the need for the modular classroom addition. The final cost to taxpayers would have required an increase to the town's mill rate of 1 mill per year over a period of seven years.

Superintendent Arthur Wittine said after the vote, "With all respect to the town's decision, obviously I am disappointed. The tragedy of the results is that we still have a space problem, with hallways filled with tutors helping kids, and no place for meetings [special education]. The next step is to meet with the school committee in January. At that time, I hope to have a number of options to pursue. We may have to go back to leasing a building. It is still a temporary solution."