EDITOR'S NOTE: The original version of this story misspelled the name of Elizabeth Wrigley, a sixth-grade teacher at Thornton Academy Middle School. It has been corrected here.

By Suzanne Hodgson

Staff Writer

Through cheers and applause, Thornton Academy Headmaster Carl Stasio made it clear that Thornton Academy Middle School would stay open no matter what.

“We’ve come to this point in the road ‘what would happen if?’ Stasio said. “What will happen is we’re going to keep this school open regardless.”

Stasio made the promise last Wednesday at a meeting to address concerns from Arundel parents uncertain about whether their children will continue to attend Thornton Academy or switch to Middle School of the Kennebunks.

Their uncertainty stems from discussions among RSU 21 board members trying to encourage more Arundel students to attend school within the district.

RSU 21, which serves Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel, is currently  reviewing a 10-year contract with Thornton Academy to educate Arundel middle school students.

 The contract, in its fourth year, requires Arundel middle school students to attend Thornton Academy.

The review comes as RSU 21 faces a more than $1 million reduction in state subsidies this year, and looks for ways to cut costs.

RSU 21 Superintendent Andrew Dolloff earlier this month told the school board it could save as much as $4.1 million if the district breaks its contract with Thornton this year.

School board members questioned if Thornton Academy Middle School would close its doors if the district terminated the Arundel contract, because 145 of 163 students who attend the school are from Arundel.

Breaking the contract would end RSU 21’s obligation to send students to Thornton Academy. However, Arundel students could still attend Thornton Academy without the contract and the RSU would pay their tuition.

“It’s you, the parents, that would determine where the kids would go,” Stasio said.

Many concerned parents wondered if the RSU would lose money if it buys out the contract for $1.4 million and their children continued to attend Thornton.

At an RSU school board meeting, member John Sharood of Kennebunk said he believes the RSU could still save money if it terminates the contract and if as few as 26 students moved to Middle School of the Kennebunks.

Stasio said Thornton is not concerned about a minimum number of students. But he said the middle school would “have a difficult time” offering the same quality programs if student enrollment dropped to the “70 to 80 (student) range.”

Stasio said while students would get a good education at either school, Thornton offers students use of the library, playing fields and other benefits.

“We’re clear our middle school will open next year. We hope we have earned your trust and you’re going to send your kids here,” Stasio said.

If RSU 21 buys out the contract, the school would use the funds for maintenance and paying off debt, Stasio said.

“I hate to see continuation of community in the school come to an end for strictly financial reasons,” said John Webb of Arundel, parent of a Thornton Academy Middle School student.

“I think it’s a strategic marketing plan ‘we’re going to do this and everybody in Arundel is going to following along,’” said Sol Fedder, another parent, said. “(Arundel) will be absorbed and lose their identity.”

Some Thornton Academy Middle School teachers also attended the meeting to hear what parents had to say about the school’s future.

“The school’s fate was clear to me tonight. The parents want their kids to come here,” said Elizabeth Wrigley, a sixth-grade teacher at the school.

Wrigley, who also is a parent, said she understands the importance of kids feeling safe and comfortable in school.

Many parents at the meeting noted this is the RSU’s first year of operation and it may have kinks to work out, in contrast to Thornton Academy, which will celebrate its bicentennial next year.

“No institute gets to be 200 years old (by) accident,” Stasio said.

RSU 21 will continue to investigate possible contract changes and will survey Arundel residents about the issue.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.