STRONG — A representative from a citizens’ group presented selectmen Tuesday night with a request to appoint a committee to explore the feasibility of seceding from RSU 58.

Resident Rebecca Croteau said a number of citizens supported exploring the option, according to Selectman James Burrill.

Seceding from RSU 58 requires formal approval from the Maine Department of Education.

The letter reads:

“This letter is written on behalf of several citizens of Strong, to request that you appoint a committee for the purpose of studying the logistics and/or feasibility of the Town of Strong seceding from RSU 58. When we joined this school district in the ’60s, we were a thriving town with four mills, two stores and plenty of employment opportunities. No longer are we that town, and because we are not, no longer can we support RSU 58.

“Studies are being done, and they have proven and continue to prove that there is a lot of waste in the district. We feel that it would be far more economical for our town to have our own school and take the responsibility of our own school.

“Property taxes are going up, and with the projected school budget for the coming year, it will be impossible for some to come up with the tax money if something drastic is not done to reverse this trend. It will be a mammoth job to somehow reduce this budget and will be much like a David/Goliath situation.

“Personally, I believe that previous school board members should be on this committee as well as citizens who are willing to devote much time and energy on this project. Something really needs to be done or the town will not get tax money from its residents. They will simply not be able to afford to pay taxes,” according to the letter.

Burrill said Croteau hadn’t indicated the citizens she represented had done research on the process of seceding or how the town would form its own alternative school system. The letter did not include names of those willing to serve on the committee, so selectmen voted to continue the discussion at the next meeting, if Croteau could find people willing to serve.

“I guess I would say if we were going to form a committee, we would ask for a list of people who would like to be on this committee and bring it to the next selectmen’s meeting,” board Chairman Rupert Pratt said.

Lynn White, chairman of the Phillips Board of Selectmen, shared his concerns about the proposed 22 percent increase in the school budget for the coming year. He estimated the $160,000 increase would drive Phillips’ tax rate from $18 per $1,000 of property value to $20 per $1,000. Strong will see a 23 percent increase of $174,000, which is approximately a $2.30 tax rate hike.

“We’re trying to keep Phillips from going bankrupt,” he said. “I’m quite frankly appalled at the way the school board directors are treating this matter. There comes a point where you have to say no, and Phillips is at that point.”

White said he will attend other selectmen’s meetings in Avon, Kingfield and Eustis to urge more thorough oversight, rather than allowing school board directors to “pass through,” or accept without question, budget requests from the district.

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