PERU – Selectmen met with the School Committee Tuesday night to discuss the school merger with SAD 21.

After long discussions, the board voted to have Superintendent John Turner petition the state commissioner of education to pursue the process of merging with SAD 21 and to contact a lawyer to draw up a formal request on or before Aug. 30.

Turner presented the facts that have been collected over the past year during which time Peru has discussed whether or not a merger would be in the best interest of the students.

Only two selectmen were present Tuesday night for the joint meeting. The feeling among the School Committee members was that serving the children of Peru was the main consideration.

Little if any money will be saved with the merger because of Peru’s high property assessment. The figures were based on 75 percent town evaluation and 25 percent pupils attending school. Turner referred to his summer newsletter where he stated that Peru would have to come up with almost the same amount of money but the advantages would outweigh this consideration.

The advantages would be that for the first time Peru School Committee would have a voice in determining programs and policy for their high school students. They have almost been guaranteed a new elementary school by the state Department of Education if they merge. State aid will no longer be available for a new local school because they have under 300 students so expanding or rebuilding was not a viable option. Also the present site is not favorable for rebuilding.

Busing the students to SAD 43 is not a good option, according to Turner, even though there is room for additional students, because of Peru children being on a bus longer, the buildings in Rumford are not that new and Peru would have the smallest representation.

Selectman Andy St. Pierre said that it appeared the committee and Tuner had done their homework. He also noted that five of the top 10 graduates this year from Dirigo High School were from Peru.

Turner next presented a request for purchasing an IBM computer and new program to better maintain and report students’ records for Maine Learning Results. Though the present system has many flaws, the request was rejected. The committee couldn’t justify the expense in view of the fact that a merger may take place and Peru may not need such a program.

Turner also said a full-time qualified nurse has been hired for the next year and the new fire alarm system is paid for and will be installed this summer.

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