A longtime participant of the Sheepscot Regional Education Program (SREP), the Community School District (CSD) School Committee voted unanimously March 10 to become a program member.

SREP is an alternative learning structure designed for eighth through 12th graders in the Midcoast region who are experiencing severe school-related anxiety, chronic absenteeism, or disrupted educational pathways. The CSD has been using the program for about five years.  

“We're not talking about (students being) a little nervous. The severity of what they're dealing with is such that we can't even get them through the door. If we cannot meet their needs here, we're still required to meet their needs,” said Robert Kahler, Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 superintendent.  

As a member, the CSD will pay a $35,000 membership fee and an additional $25,000 per student. It would have cost $75,000 per student if the CSD had remained a non-member. Kahler said there are fewer than 10 local students enrolled each year. 

“It's a program that's definitely growing, and the more the program grows, the more the cost goes down (for us)."

While the vote passed uncontested, committee member Stephanie Hawke of Boothbay Harbor described her approval as reluctant. She suggested the CSD look into providing the necessary services as a future cost-saving measure, so they don't have to be outsourced.  

The CSD is required to pay for transportation to the current SREP location at Wiscasset Middle High School, but Kaler said the program is looking for property in the Boothbay area, which may reduce costs. Chair Jenn Whitney of Boothbay also pointed out that a high upfront investment would be required for the CSD to start a program.  

The committee also unanimously approved the 2026-27 school calendar.   

In other business, board members discussed the AOS's governing effectiveness. According to a January report compiled by Kahler’s office, the AOS structure originated from the School Administrative Reorganization Law of 2007, whose goal was to reduce Maine’s school districts to cut administrative costs. Due to towns rebelling against mass regionalization, the AOS system was introduced so towns could consolidate to avoid financial penalties but retain individual school identities. 

During the meeting, Kahler reported that this school model is rapidly disappearing as towns move to regain local control or simplify their bureaucracies; 11 of the 19 AOS systems in Maine have disbanded.   

One of the main points discussed was how Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor would go from paying about a 58% portion of the shared AOS level positions, such as superintendent, special education director and tech coordinator, to 100% if the CSD were to withdraw. The board tabled the issue, with plans to explore over the summer what different school models would look like. 

The board will hold a March 17 workshop to review potential changes to the scope of the planned $30 million Bootbay Region Elementary School (BRES) renovation, as the delay caused by the lawsuit cost the project about $3 million. In a post-meeting interview, Kahler said the CSD also incurred about $60,000 in lawyer fees to date. Insurance covered most of this, but taxpayers are responsible for $14,000 so far.  

BRES Principal Shawna Kurr said she and Vice Principal Kim Dionne are working with third through eighth-grade teachers on the Through Year Assessment test setup to see how the curriculum can be better aligned with assessment periods. 

“One of the things that we think is happening isn't that kids don't get taught (certain subjects), they don't get taught it at the right time,” she said.