The newly formed "Future of our Schools" Committee is seeking a solution to a statewide concern about public education. The committee is focused on providing a quality education during a time of rising costs and decreasing enrollments. 

Boothbay Town Manager Dan Bryer is a committee member. On May 14, Bryer updated selectmen about the committee's first meeting. On May 2, the committee made up of State Rep. Holly Stover, Boothbay Selectman Russ Pinkham, Boothbay Harbor Selectman Ken Rayle, Community School District Trustee Ron  Campbell of Boothbay Harbor, former Boothbay Harbor school committee member Peggy Splaine, Rob Cronk of Southport, Superintendent Bob Kahler and Riley Mitchell of Boothbay met for the first time.

Bryer reported the group has three sub-committees: Keeping the Status Quo, Tuitioning Out High School Students and Consolidation. According to Bryer, tuitioning students is an unlikely possibility. "This one has already been ruled out. Lincoln Academy and Morse are new high schools, but they have limited space. I think each school could only accept 40 students," he said. 

The committee is likely to grow. A couple of Edgecomb residents attended the meeting as "unofficial representatives." Bryer also said Dresden has expressed interest in participating as it considers tuitioning all its  kindergarten through grade 12 students. 

In other action, selectmen approved the Community School District's budget validation referendum date as Tuesday, June 10. Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor residents will head to the polls in their respective town halls. The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. On May 7, voters approved the $11.4 million Fiscal Year 26 school budget during a public hearing held in the Boothbay Region Elementary School gymnasium.

The question reads "Do you favor approving the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District budget for the upcoming school year adopted at the latest district budget meeting?"

Selectman Steve Lewis asked if this year's BVR would have "numbers" regarding the proposed 8.5% budget increase. "I'm not sure. but I will check," said Bryer. 

In his manager's report, Bryer said he expects more than two miles of road will be paved this year. This month, voters approved spending $400,000 this year on road maintenance. Bryer is also hoping to enlist all four peninsula towns to purchase asphalt as a group. "I think this would give us all more purchasing power. I think the proposal would especially benefit Edgecomb and Southport who could purchase it at prices they have never imagined," he said.

Selectman Dale Harmon supported the program as long as the contractor could perform all required Boothbay road paving within the year. Bryer added paving would likely begin this fall. 

Selectmen approved a restaurant liquor license renewal for PGC, II doing business as Giselaine's Spa at 25 White Birch Lane. Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 21 in the conference room.