Should it stay? Or should it go? That was the question facing the Boothbay Comprehensive Planning Committee on August 18 concerning a position about the town’s involvement with local education. And in the end, the committee’s consensus was it should remain.

Monday was the committee’s first meeting since an August 4 public forum that solicited residents’ input on the comprehensive plan’s objectives. The forum focused on issues ranging from the economy to land use issues, but two innocuous statements on local education stirred a considerable amount of debate.

One concept stated the town “supports efforts by the school system to provide a vibrant, innovative environment that allows all students to learn at the peak of their abilities and continue to adopt innovative educational approaches.” The second stated the town “should enhance the academic reputation of the district throughout the Midcoast region.” During the August 4 forum, residents commented both statements seemed weak.

The committee once again debated Monday about the town’s role in the local school system. The consensus still favored a statement supporting a more active community role. But others thought the statement didn’t belong. Planner Mark Eyerman suggested that no statement be included.

“You already have an elected board which handles these matters,” said Eyerman. “I’m not sure the comprehensive plan really needs to cover this issue.”

But Comprehensive Planning Committee member Nicholas Barth disagreed. He wanted a strong statement advocating for more community involvement. During the public forum, the committee heard concerns about rising educational costs and an apparent lack of local control over the school budget.

Barth believed the town’s concerns weren’t being addressed by the elected school committee and board of trustees. He focused his blame for that on the school charter. The legislature passed the law that created the consolidated school district and its charter.

“The problem was created by our elected representatives from Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor when they enacted the charter,” Barth said. “Boy, somebody must have been sleeping that night.”

The committee worked on a stronger educational statement. Barth eventually came up with a statement supported by a consensus of the six members present. The new wording is more focused on updating the charter, and less about the town’s role in public education. Barth proposed that the selectmen and school district review the charter jointly with the idea to recognize issues raised by the community’s concern about rising education costs.

Following the meeting, Barth discussed his advocacy for more public participation in the school budget process. He believes more involvement is needed because residents find it difficult to speak at the annual budget meeting. Barth said the setting was “too intimidating for the ‘Average Joe.’”

“I’m afraid if I got into that kind of setting with all that education-speak that I’d be behind the eight-ball,” Barth said. “People don’t feel comfortable there so they don’t bother going to the meeting.”

Committee member John Bertolet has a considerable amount of experience dealing with educational issues. He’s served the past 14 years on the school committee. Bertolet agrees there’s a need for more community involvement in educational decisions. But he added that the need doesn’t result from a lack of opportunity.

“Any time the school district invites the public to discuss educational matters, it usually has poor attendance,” Bertolet said. “And honestly, on the school budget, there are just as many people who say we don’t spend enough.”

The committee will continue its review of the chapters five and six of the comprehensive plan at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2 in the municipal room.