DIXFIELD – Tuesday’s overwhelming approval by Peru residents of the proposed merger between Peru School and SAD 21 was well received by SAD 21.

“I was real pleased to see that it was so overwhelmingly approved, especially because Peru is carrying the brunt of the increased costs,” said SAD 21 Superintendent Thomas Ward, who put a lot of time into the effort since joining the district last August.

“Peru’s overwhelming vote sends a real positive message to everyone in SAD 21, and it shows their willingness to collaborate with us, and to do what’s right for the kids. Now it’s our turn,” he added.

By that, Ward meant that he and SAD 21 board members must now do their part to convince district voters in the towns of Canton, Carthage and Dixfield to approve the pending merger to make it official.

“Everything is heading in the right direction. My goal between now and April 7 is to get as much information out as I can about what this will mean to SAD 21,” Ward added.

April 7 is the date of SAD 21’s merger referendum.

After signing warrants of the merger at their meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 1, in the Dirigo High School library, SAD 21 directors are to hold a districtwide informational meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, at the high school.

That is to be followed by consecutive public hearings in Carthage on March 15, Canton on March 16, and Dixfield on March 17.

On April 7, voters in SAD 21 are to face a referendum that asks them to approve the merger, and to approve a cost-share ratio based 90 percent on valuation and 10 percent on pupil populations.

“If they vote one of the articles down by a majority, it’s a ‘No’ vote for everything. We have to have approval on both articles for the merger to be passed,” Ward said.

After referendum balloting in Canton, Carthage and Dixfield, each town’s clerk then sends the final votes to Maine Education Commissioner Susan A. Gendron in Augusta. They also notify Ward.

“It’s not official until the commissioner tallies the votes. But once the commissioner verifies that the merger has been voted in, then we will immediately form the new SAD 21 School Board,” Ward said.

That board will consist of 15 members, one person more than SAD 21’s current board. Peru would have four directors, Dixfield would have six, Canton three and Carthage two.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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