ROCKLAND — Rockland City Council members voted to add a referendum question to the November ballot asking citizens whether they would support a withdrawal from RSU 13. Councilors were obligated by law to take this step following the submission of a citizens’ petition. 

Rockland resident Doug Curtis joined the effort to get a withdrawal question on the ballot.

“RSU 13 is like Rockland’s blue line (for people who remember that). It was a great idea in concept, and absolutely horrible in implementation,” he said.

During the Sept. 14 council meeting, Rockland City Council members spoke of an 18 percent increase in Rockland’s taxes based on education needs of RSU 13.  For some Rockland residents on fixed incomes, property taxes increased $200 this year.

Between 2010 and 2016 Rockland’s burden of the RSU 13 budget has increased roughly $3 million (around 40 percent), according to Councilor Larry Pritchett. 

“We should be spending the money on the kids, but we’re sending the bill to the people who can least afford it....That has always bothered me.” Pritchett said.

Pritchett also echoed Councilor Valli Geiger’s sentiments that the quality of education has diminished, which has pushed some families to move away.

“The quality of education delivered, and the system needs to step up. We appreciate that the cycle somehow needs to be broken,” Pritchett said.

Rockland City Councilor Will Clayton told attendees of how his daughter is not immune to the problems affecting her South School elementary classmates whose parents have to choose what bills to pay. When one friend didn’t have a winter coat to keep her warm, and had to remain indoors during recess, Sophia shared in the frustration. When a little boy got excited upon receiving a backpack full of food, Sophia shared the excitement.

A yes vote by voters on Nov. 3 would prompt the city to organize an advisory committee, allocate $20,000 in resources to the committee, and begin a 22-step process. The actual withdrawal process would not start until step 17.

The ballot question is in two parts. The first asks if voters support the withdrawal and subsequent allocation of funding. The second question asks if voters wish the City to seek alternative options beyond what RSU 13 is offering. Voters can vote on both questions or just one. View the questions in the attachments to this article.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com.