EUSTIS — SAD 58 residents will have the opportunity this week to learn more about the proposed Eustis withdrawal agreement from the school district.
The public hearing starts at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at at the Stratton Elementary School. The Eustis withdrawal committee will explain how the separation of the town from the school district will work if the Eustis voters approve the plan before the start of the next school year.
SAD 58 directors and the Eustis withdrawal committee have met frequently to develop a plan that the Department of Education Commissioner Steven Bowen would approve. They have agreed that Eustis will pay a 5 percent increase over the state’s annual reimbursement rate to the district. They also have established all necessary financial agreements, including Stratton Elementary School debt service payments, staff contracts and a $28,000 payment for each special education student.
Eustis will transport its students to and from Mt. Abram High School.
After the hearing, the withdrawal committee has 30 days to send the final agreement to Bowen. When he approves the final contract wording and financial arrangements, Eustis residents will schedule a final vote.
Eustis’ original petition to Bowen to withdraw from the district contained twice the number of signatures required.
“For the past two years, the Stratton Elementary School has been threatened with closure,” the Eustis selectmen stated in a July news statement. “The Eustis committee has invested many months of study and discussion to explore the best options for educating the children involved.”
The school-supporters believe separation was essential to maintain a school in the town, they said.
Superintendent Brenda Stevens released a response on behalf of the district after the withdrawal committee presented their plan.
“The residents of Eustis deserve our respect as they explore the educational options for their children,” she said. “SAD 58 has a long history of collaborating with communities within the district, as well as with our neighboring communities, especially when it involves the education of our children.”
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