Following the Sept. 18 public hearing on the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated between St. George and RSU 13, the Maine Commissioner of Education has approved the final agreement and ordered that a warrant authorizing St. George’s withdrawal from RSU 13 and the establishment of an independent St. George Municipal School Unit (StGMSU) be placed on the town’s ballot for a vote on Nov. 4.

In order to pass, the article must receive the approval of the majority of at least 741 voters, according to the town office in an Oct. 3 news release.

On a separate warrant St. George voters will also be asked to approve an ordinance authorizing an administrative structure for the prospective new school unit.

As required by the statute governing withdrawal, the Select Board has scheduled a public hearing on the merits of withdrawal for Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Town Office.

Members of the Withdrawal and the Town Education Committees will make presentations covering the detail of the withdrawal agreement, governance of the StGMSU, five-year pro forma school budgets, high school choice for St. George students, and changes to the St. George school, including the reinstatement of the eighth grade.

A public meeting covering the same topics is scheduled for Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the St. George Town Office.

At its meeting on Sept. 29, the Select Board voted unanimously to recommend a “Yes” vote on withdrawal.

The board cited a number of benefits of withdrawal. Local control of the school budget and programs would create greater accountability to parents and taxpayers for the success of the educational system. It anticipated that valuable programs cut by RSU 13 would be reinstated, that the eighth grade would be restored to the St. George School and that high school choice would offer better and more varied educational opportunities for St. George’s high school students. The statement noted that all of this could be accomplished without any increase in the school assessment.

As part of its voter education effort the St. George Town Education Committee sponsored an evening of presentations by five area high schools that have agreed to accept St. George students.

An audience of approximately 120 people, mostly parents and students, snacked on pizza and heard presentations by representatives of Camden Hills, Lincoln Academy, Medomak Valley, Oceanside East and West and Watershed. A breakout session was held after the presentations to give students and parents an opportunity to meet with the representatives and gather more detail about the schools.

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