It has come to my attention that a rumor that has been circulated may be causing some unnecessary consternation among students and parents. I want to reassure parents and students that any Camden Hills Regional High School student who is eligible and interested may continue to attend Midcoast School of Technology. The MCST Region 8 is a separate political subdivision and quasi-municipal corporation formed to serve school districts in an area defined by statute, including the Five Town Community School District.

I want to clarify that Midcoast School of Technology is governed by a Cooperative Board, to which the CSD Board appoints members, and the Cooperative Board must adopt a Cooperative Agreement. It is the Cooperative Agreement and the method of decision-making and communication that is at issue with the Five Town CSD Board of Directors. As a member district, Five Town CSD pays a portion of the MSCT budget, which is based upon the proportionate number of juniors and seniors in each district. Our proportionate share that is defined in the Cooperative Agreement does not currently include a factor of the proportionate number of students who attend MCST. As a result, for 2014-2015, the Five Town CSD will be assessed 36.6795% of the proposed $2,933,834 MCST budget, which will be a Five Town CSD share of $1,076,115.95. The proportion that Five Town CSD pays is far greater than the approximately 22% enrollment of students who attend the MCST campus. In addition, in order to change the cost sharing formula that is in the Cooperative Agreement, the MCST Board would have to approve the change, and then each sending Board needs to approve the change. Essentially, at the sending board level, an island Board has the same vote as our Board which represents five towns. We do not think this is fair taxation or representation, so we are seeking to change the Cooperative Agreement through discussion with the MCST Board and area superintendents.

The Five Town CSD Board supports career and technical education. The Board recognizes that many students are finding success at MCST. However, the Board has also expressed concern that a number of our students, who would be interested in career and technical education, are not currently being served by the current courses being offered at MCST, and the Board would like to explore other options for  extending even more opportunities for our students. At the last Board meeting, the Five Town CSD voted to appoint an Advisory Committee to help it become more informed about career and technical education and to explore options to better serve our students, not only now but in the future. Meetings of the Advisory Committee will be posted and open to the public, with agendas and minutes posted on our website. In summary, the Five Town CSD supports career and technical education, supports the attendance of our students at MCST, and recognizes that MCST provides an excellent option for some of our students.

Sincerely,
Elaine Nutter
Five Town CSD Superintendent