SALEM TOWNSHIP — After two meetings, the RSU 58 Reapportionment Committee voted to double the size of the district’s Board of Directors.

At the committee’s first meeting, one board member and one director from each town reviewed several options to adjust board votes based on municipal population. That would allow the current configuration of seven members to increase to as many as 15 directors, but the Reapportionment Committee also could choose among other options.

During the past three weeks, committee members polled their selectmen and community members for opinions. When they returned to their committee meeting on Monday night at Mt. Abram High School, they decided a 14-member board would be the best option.

Avon representatives Jason Plog and John Calloway suggested the 14-member board would provide each town with the fairest representation. Strong, Kingfield and Phillips would double to four members and Avon would double to two members. They said the 2013-14 board faces great challenges a 14-member board could handle more equitably.

“They’re going to have a horrendous amount of work next year,” Calloway said.

Board member Marc Edwards of Strong suggested another configuration would manage the same balance without adding as many new directors. Mike Pond, Strong selectman, said he polled selectmen, and they favored choosing either a 12-member or a 15-member board. One town would not be able to dominate the decision-making process with those amounts, he said.

“It (would) take two-thirds (of board members) to close a school,” he said.

Committee members agreed on the importance of having board members who weren’t seeking personal power or recognition. Directors also discussed the advantages of tasks being delegated to committees between meetings. Those committees can’t make decisions for the board, but will gather information on issues.

Edwards said some of his constituents expressed hopes that Kingfield would stay in the district. As a Kingfield committee has met twice to find options for the town to leave the school district,  Kingfield’s representatives encouraged quality of board members over quantity.

“If we truly wish to have something that is longer lasting, beyond the next six or eight months, I suggest we need to diversify this board,” Kingfield selectman Heather Moody said.

Phillips, Avon and Kingfield representatives voted for the 14-member board. Edwards voted against and Pond abstained.

“(I’m) standing in the wings,” Pond said to explain his decision.

Superintendent Brenda Stevens will send the committee’s decision to Commissioner Stephen Bowen, and when he returns his letter of approval to her, each town’s selectmen will appoint interim board members

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