OLD TOWN – The school board should soon have a clearer view of the needs of RSU 34 students that had attended the Jefferson Street School.

The Jefferson Street property formerly housed the Southern Penobscot Regional Program, which was offered to children with emotional and behavioral problems in 23 school districts. Old Town had hosted the Southern Penobscot Regional Program since 1979, but administrators at some participating schools pushed for an upgraded facility last year; the decision was made to move the program to Bangor. RSU 34 and Newport schools, however, opted to not continue being members of the relocated program, leaving those communities with the need to have alternate educate options for its chldren.

According to School Board Chair Jim Dill, the current plan calls for students that would have attended Jefferson Street to be educated within the RSU 34 system for the upcoming school year. If there are any with problems beyond the local system, alternatives will be explored at other facilities – including, possibly, the Southern Penobscot Regional Program.

“By voting to not take part in the move, we’re not allocating a certain amount of amount for (Southern Penobscot) every year, as we did in the past,” said Dill. “But it’s possible we could pay tution to send students there if needed, or whatever other local facilities may be best for them. There are several in the area. So we have choices.”

The number of students with emotional and behavioral problems varies from year to year, but typically runs from a half dozen or so to about ten. Dill said some former Jefferson Street staff that was not hired after the Bangor move will be working with students during the next school year; additional staff may be needed as well, although Dill said that is not known yet.

“We’ll have a better handle on that at our next school board meeting,” said Dill.

Although it’s too early to tell still, Dill acknowledged that educating former Jefferson Street students in the long run could be more expensive than having them attend Southern Penobscot. Should that prove to be the case, RSU does have the option of rejoining Southern Penobscot at a future date if it wishes.

“But for right now, were going to try to do it right here as much as possible,” said Dill.