By Emma Bouthillette 

Staff Writer

The Regional School Unit Planning Committee voted to change the formula to share additional local costs for operating a consolidated district Aug. 27. The new district will include Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel, and the committee decided to reconsider its previous decision after Kennebunk representatives made an argument that the formula discussed Aug. 19 would be a tough sell to Kennebunk residents. 

The previous decision to base cost sharing above Essential Programs and Services funding on 50 percent resident pupil count and 50 percent property valuation for each town was withdrawn, and the board cast a 12 to one vote to change the formula to 60 percent property valuation and 40 percent pupil count. 

The new cost sharing formula means Arundel will be responsible for 13.8 percent, Kennebunk for 56.2 percent and Kennebunkport for 30 percent of any costs to operate the school district above Essential Programs and Services funding from the state. Arundel will remain responsible for their $18,000 debt and Kennebunk and Kennebunkport will share responsibility for SAD 71’s $599,620 debt. 

“The Kennebunk delegates felt very strongly about the fact they didn’t have confidence that voters would approve the 50/50 cost sharing,” said Committee Co-Chairman Maureen King, representing Maine School Administrative District 71.

The committee discussed a 60-40 split during the previous meeting based on the recommendation of the Kennebunk Board of Selectmen, but at that time there was no further discussion about Kennebunk’s position for the cost sharing formula.

Committee Co-Chairman Dana Peck represents Arundel and said the two other communities delegates’ compromised enough with Kennebunk’s recommendation when the committee reconsidered the vote. He said the reconsideration changed the cost sharing percentages, but the committee maintained provisions protecting elementary schools.

With the cost sharing formula determined, the committee plans to submit the consolidation plan to Maine Department of Education soon, but has not found an attorney to review the language, King said. 

“We had been using Drummond Woodsum, but Kennebunk does not want to continue using Drummond Woodsum [because of a conflict of interest]. So Maureen [King] is currently looking into two possible legal offices,” Peck said. 

King said the committee can submit the plan to the Department of Education and have it reviewed by an attorney at the same time, and she said she hopes the plan will be approved by the state in time to appear on the November ballot. 

“If we don’t get it on the November ballot, our biggest issue is that we are facing a December vote. If we vote in November and it is not passed, we still have another change for a January vote before penalties kick in. If we miss November, there’s not enough time to regroup for a January vote,” King said. 

If the consolidation plan is voted down, she said the towns can expect a 2 percent mil rate increase each year for education and a 50 percent reduction of state allocations per pupil would mean a reduction from $210 to $105 in the first year.

King said penalties would likely increase each year until a consolidation plan is accepted. 

Kennebunkport Town Manager Larry Mead reported the change in the cost sharing formula to selectmen Aug. 28. 

“It was a poor approach by the town of Kennebunk. They didn’t get what they wanted and asked for reconsideration,” Mead said. “The committee decided to reconsider because it is in the best interest of all the students to have a fair plan pass. If it is not passed the penalties would erode the quality of education.”

“The plan is still livable, and it protects the schools,” said Kennebunkport Selectmen Chairman Matt Lanigan.