To the editor:

The RSU 21 school board acted irresponsibly by taking action in regard to middle school choice, after being warned by its superintendent its action would be in violation of the Thornton Academy contract.

The school board voted 9-2 in favor of allowing middle school choice for Arundel students. Superintendent Andrew Dolloff told the board that RSU 21 attorneys stated a judge would rule in Thornton Academy’s favor if Thornton Academy’s position and the intent of those who negotiated the contract was that all Arundel middle school students attend Thornton Academy.

I stated twice during the March 1 meeting that as a member of the negotiating team for Arundel the intent of the contract was clear. This discussion had also taken place during the planning process before RSU 21 took over last July.

During conversations regarding school choice as it applied to the consolidation law, school board Chairman Maureen King was adamant that Arundel have high school choice but not middle school choice.

Currently, King’s position is that if the board’s position creates a lawsuit, we will just have to deal with it. Lawsuits are not unfamiliar to the former SAD 71 school district and now Arundel is being dragged in. How can this possibly be in the students’ best interest?

The policy, as written, clearly was designed to circumvent the contract and the affirmation vote shows the intent of the school board to ignore the contract. This action also violates the school consolidation law that mandates all existing contracts be honored.

If Thornton Academy moves forward with a lawsuit the RSU 21 school board will incur legal fees to fight what it was told is a losing battle and would probably be forced to cover Thornton’s costs as well. Not a very good use of school funds as we battle with budget cuts and tax increases.

Jon Renell

Arundel