Staff Writer

RSU 21 school board will form a committee to discuss changes to the Thornton Academy Middle School contract after defeating a motion to abandon the contract.

School board members have discussed for several months whether Arundel middle school students may choose to go to either Middle School of the Kennebunks or Thornton Academy Middle School.

“Let’s negotiate and figure this out for next year and not wallow in this forever. It’s kind of painful,” said Leia Lowery, a school board member from Arundel.

The board at is meeting Monday asked Superintendent Andrew Dolloff to form a committee to meet with Thornton Academy Headmaster Carl Stasio and the Thornton Academy board of trustees to discuss both parties’ legal and financial options regarding the contract.

Thornton Academy has a 10-year contract with RSU 21 that expires in 2016. The private school claims the contract requires all Arundel students attend Thornton Academy Middle School. 

Only two board members opposed the new committee, Robert Domine and Norm Archer, both of Kennebunkport.

Audience members gasped when Domine proposed the school board break the contract between the district and private school at an estimated cost of $1.4 million.

“We will pay $1.1 to $1.2 million in tuition for TAMS next year. Which edge of the double-edge sword would you like to be pierced with?” Domine asked.

Dolloff said RSU 21 could save an estimated $800,000 each year if all district students from Thornton Academy Middle School transferred into Middle School of the Kennebunks.  Every student who does not  transfer would reduce potential savings by an estimated $16,000.

“We don’t have the money (to buy out the contract),” said school board member Jack Reetz of Arundel.

School board member John Sharood of Kennebunk said he thought the district could borrow the money, but said that has not been done before in Maine.

Other members voiced concerns about the money and immediacy of the vote without more discussion of options.

“I can’t support this motion tonight, we need more detailed review. I’m concerned about the timeline. I hear your logic but I can’t buy into it,” said Vice Chairman Tim Hussey of Kennebunk.

Archer was the only other member during Monday’s meeting who supported breaking the contract.

Last month, the RSU 21 school board reaffirmed its view that Arundel students can choose between attending Middle School of the Kennebunks or Thornton Academy Middle School.

Thornton views the contract differently.

Stasio said the contract is clear that all Arundel students must attend Thornton Academy Middle School.

In March, RSU 21 sent Arundel families a survey to gauge support for changes to the contract. The survey, conducted by Digital Research Inc. was sent to 370 households. About one-third, or 132 surveys, were returned.

Findings from the completed surveys showed 70 percent of families preferred their children attend Thornton Academy Middle School.

Almost half of those who responded to the survey, 47 percent, felt the contract between the school should be extended beyond 2016; 32 percent felt the contract should be terminated before 2016 and allow Arundel students to choose between the two middle schools; and 21 percent felt the contract should be allowed to expire and not be renewed.

School Board Chairman Maureen King said the first session of the new committee will be held in executive session because the discussions will involve consultation from the district’s lawyer on its negotiation position.

Subsequent committee discussions and how they will take place have not yet been determined, although King said members of the committee will most likely be announced at the next school board meeting.

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