LIVERMORE FALLS — The town will not be asked to pay $3,000 to use the former Livermore Falls High School for its summer recreation program, the RSU 73 board decided Thursday.
The two sides have been negotiating terms for using the cafeteria, gymnasium and fields for the six-week program. The proposed $3,000 fee prompted complaints from many townspeople.
Adult Education Director Eileen Miazga told the board she was concerned that some people had a misperception about adult education’s role in the matter.
RSU 73 residents voted this year to pay $132,000 — $44,000 each from Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls — to keep the building open for one year, while Miazga found ways to rent space to make the building financially self-sustaining.
The Adult Learning Center is in a section of the school.
“We never had any intention to hurt the summer rec program,” she said. “Unfortunately, this got blown out of proportion.”
Board member Vicky McLeod did not vote, and board member Mike Schaedler voted against not charging Livermore Falls a fee.
“I’ve read that people are mad because we kept the building open, then mad because we asked for money. (Miazga) is between a rock and a hard place,” McLeod said.
The summer recreation program, which generally draws about 250 children each year, is scheduled to begin June 24. Fees will remain at $35 for the first child and $20 for each additional child from the same family from Livermore Falls and Jay, $65 and $35 for children from Livermore, and $110 per child who lives outside the district.
Jay and Livermore Falls provide funds for the program.
In addition to providing activities, the program also serves breakfast and lunch each day.
Area Youth Sports, along with a couple of other groups, pay to use the building.
In other matters, board Chairwoman Denise Rodzen honored McLeod and board member Kathryn McAninch, both of Jay and who are not running for re-election.
McLeod said she ran for the seat three years ago because she opposed consolidation of the former Jay School Department and the former RSU 36.
“I’m OK with it now,” she said.
McAninch was not present Thursday.
Also Thursday, the board approved early graduation for three high school juniors.
Superintendent Robert Wall told the board he didn’t see much validity in the state’s recent report cards issued to each school. He said only 25 percent of states issue such cards.
Spruce Mountain Middle School in Jay received a C, Livermore Elementary School received an F and Jay Elementary School received a C. Spruce Mountain High School in Jay did not receive a grade because this is the first year students from all three towns have been in one school.
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