EUSTIS — Voters have four more steps to take if they wish to open the Stratton Elementary School in September as part of the new, stand-alone Eustis School District.

Only two state-mandated steps remain to finalize the withdrawal of Eustis from the SAD 58 school system. Now that Commissioner Stephen Bowen of the Maine Department of Education has approved the agreement signed by both Eustis representatives and SAD 58, voters are invited to a final hearing at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 1, at the Community Center. At the hearing, voters will hear details of the preliminary budget, which could be in effect on July 1.

Selectman Jay Wyman said he expects this budget hearing process to go well and has been pleased with the cooperation from the SAD 58 board and superintendent. Drafting a budget is challenging, but he sees a chance for communitywide input.

“This will be a chance for people to look at the plans for the new district,” he said.

The final withdrawal vote is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14. Polls will be open at the Eustis Town Office from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots will be available until May 13. A majority vote of participating Eustis residents will be required to finalize the withdrawal.

If withdrawal plans are approved at the vote, five school board candidates must be chosen on May 28. Those directors will ask voters to go to the polls once again on June 13 to approve the final 2013-2014 financial proposal. Candidate nomination papers for school board seats will be available at the town office until May 13.

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