School options
Dear Editor:
We do have options. Unfortunately our school boards and superintendents for Wiscasset and Boothbay/Boothbay Harbor appear dismissive and reluctant to share or reveal them. I see perhaps six potential options:
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Maintain the status quo.
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Spend $30M on the BBH elementary school.
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Hit the taxpayer up again for another $60M for the BBH high school.
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Regionalize with Wiscasset at the high school level.
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Attempt to secure a state-funded Integrated, Consolidated 9-16 Educational Facility, application deadline June 30, 2025.
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Close the high school and tuition students out.
Personally, having taught high school for 40 years and as a property taxpayer for 45+ years, of the six options I see, two that in my opinion make the most sense. As an educator, part of what I taught was “brainstorming,” and it’s time for the school committees to follow suit. As an educator and parent of BRHS alumni, I really want what is best for our kids in the region.
Change is never easy, but sometimes we need to step back and take a hard look and run some numbers such as student population projections; cost per student analysis; curriculum & program offerings; extra curricular offerings; teacher student ratios; facilities management and maintenance; administrative costs; and transportation. Can we avoid duplication and offer more and at a shared lower cost? I think we can.
The community needs to call their respective school committees to task. As with all options, there are pros and cons…think about them!
To become aware of and learn more about one option, #5 above, check out this link. The application deadline is fast approaching, June 30, 2025. This process requires two or more school committees to work and apply together. It is long past the time to have some discussion.
Rob Cronk
Southport
