DIXFIELD — The Regional School Unit 10 board has delayed its response to the Byron Withdrawal Committee’s plan until the March 23 meeting.
The board’s withdrawal subcommittee presented three potential responses at Monday’s board meeting:
* Byron establish a school system for its students;
* RSU 10 accept Byron students, provided certain payments for services are made; and
* RSU 10 accept Byron students on a case-by-case basis.
In all three scenarios, Byron would be responsible for paying its share of RSU 10 bonds, leases, nutrition program debts and other provisions.
Superintendent Craig King said that once the board agrees on a withdrawal response, the wording would be written by the district’s attorney.
Byron began its withdrawal effort more than a year ago, largely because it felt it pays more than its share for educating its 15 to 20 students.
Rumford board member Jennifer Leduc said Byron’s above average education payments is the state’s responsibility, not the district’s, because the value of Byron’s property is high.
“RSU 10 is being hit with this and it should be the state,” she said.
Mexico board member Peter deFilipp said if one town leaves RSU 10, taxes in the other towns will increase.
“It would also set a precedent. I don’t want to see RSU 10 piecemealed, ” he said.
The district includes the towns Canton, Carthage, Peru, Dixfield, Byron, Mexico, Roxbury, Rumford, Hanover, Buckfield, Hartford and Sumner.
Board Chairman Bruce Ross said, “We need some financial numbers.”
Superintendent Craig King said, “It is very difficult to join a district or to leave a district.”
The board also:
* Announced a staff retiree reception for 5 p.m. Monday, June 8, at Dirigo High School in Dixfield;
* Announced a March 13 teacher workshop on standards-based education.
* Accepted the resignations of Meroby Elementary School reading recovery teacher Andrea Bernard and Rumford Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Sheryl Blank, who will retire at the end of the school year.
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