Boothbay selectmen hope diplomacy will persuade the consolidated school district’s trustees and committee to start seeing things their way. The selectmen believe the CSD has operated beyond the charter’s scope in recent years. On July 23, the selectmen discussed their frustration with two CSD decisions in the past three years.

The Boothbay selectmen believe the trustees violated the charter by authorizing the constructing of a new tennis court facility without first notifying the two towns. The selectmen also believe the school board violated the charter by establishing a pre-Kindergarten program. The selectmen received a legal opinion last month that the charter didn’t permit a pre-Kindergarten program.

Town attorney Sally Daggett advised the board that the trustees didn’t follow the proper procedure in 2012 for establishing the program. Daggett’s legal analysis revealed the trustees must undertake a two step process prior to expanding educational programs not already permitted under the charter.

The first step is to amend the law created by the legislature, which established the school district. Second, the trustees must seek approval from the members — Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor — at a town meeting.

School officials disagree with the town’s assertions. According to Superintendent of Schools Eileen King, the proposed meeting will deal only with the pre-Kindergarten issue. She described the tennis facility as a “settled matter.” She also indicated that the school board had the authority to establish a pre-Kindergarten program.

“There are various ways to describe a kindergarten program,” King said. “The school board examined the issue and it’s our understanding the program is permitted under the charter.”

The Boothbay selectmen have requested a meeting with the trustees and committee along with fellow CSD member Boothbay Harbor this fall. The selectmen hope the joint meeting will clear up any misunderstandings the CSD and member towns have regarding the charter.

The selectmen decided  a joint meeting is the best way to handle the matter. The board’s only other option in resolving the matter is through the courts. The board fears a court challenge would be expensive and most likely unproductive.

“I don't think there is anybody out there who doesn't think this charter needs to be changed,” Selectman Steven Lewis said. “I think the easiest way to go about it is diplomatically. If we sue them for illegally expanding the (kindergarten) program it would be like suing ourselves.”

The selectmen want to schedule a September workshop to discuss ways to improve the charter process. Town Manager Jim Chaousis said that in recent months the communication has improved, but he's hopeful the meeting will establish a more open relationship. He believes the entire charter process needs revamping to provide a better form of representative government.

“This needs to be fixed,” Chaousis said.  “All we’re after is for them is to start following the process. This is really about providing a better form of representative government for the taxpayers.”

King said on Wednesday that she is looking a possible dates for the joint meeting.