PERU – Superintendents from SAD 21 and Peru School Department are encouraging the public to attend a meeting next week on a proposed merger.

The catch, however, is that the meeting set for 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, in the Dirigo High School cafeteria in Dixfield, is not a public forum.

Instead, the meeting was convened to allow selectmen from SAD 21’s towns of Canton, Carthage, and Dixfield, and Peru, and SAD 21 and Peru school board members to discuss the merger with Maine Education Commissioner Susan A. Gendron.

“I would love to have the public hear what she has to say,” said Peru School Superintendent John Turner.

Both Turner and SAD 21 Superintendent Thomas Ward met with Gendron in Augusta last week after a majority of SAD 21 directors voted not to send a merger contract to Gendron for approval.

After the Augusta meeting last Wednesday, Gendron asked Turner and Ward to convene the Dec. 15 gathering at which she would explain what SAD 21 and Peru will gain or lose if the merger does or doesn’t occur.

“This is not a public forum. Susan’s just going to be there to talk to the selectmen and directors,” Turner said.

“We want to encourage the public to come and listen, but this is a forum for selectmen and directors to touch base with the commissioner and get answers,” Ward added.

A secretary at Ward’s office said the cafeteria at Dirigo High School was chosen for the meeting site because it has a capacity for 300 people. Both superintendents expect a large turnout.

Prior to the 6 p.m. meeting, Dixfield’s selectmen will meet with SAD 21 directors at 4:30 p.m. in the Ludden Library Community Room to discuss the proposed merger.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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