Wiscasset's school and budget panels, along with selectmen, need to show unity as the town prepares for its first year outside Regional School Unit 12, the school committee's vice chairman Steve Smith said.

“There can't be a fight,” Smith told budget committee members February 17. “We’re in this together.”

That approach will be one of the keys to improving public perceptions, so other towns will want to send their students to Wiscasset schools, Smith said.

If enrollment increases enough over the next several years, any school the town closes might eventually be reopened, he said.

“I have to say, I'm impressed with your enthusiasm,” Budget Committee Chairman Bob Blagden told Smith.

Fellow budget committee member Ray Soule concurred with Smith’s point to work together. “I think with that (approach), probably this will work,” Soule said.

Earlier in Monday’s meeting, near the end of a separate talk the panel had with school committee member Colleen Bennett, budget committee member John Merry praised the new school committee for the commitment it has shown. “And I think that they’ll succeed. They’re going to persevere,” he said.

In a telephone interview February 18, Bennett said she felt very positive after the meeting. “I think the town all wants to work together, and I think that’s what needs to happen to be successful,” she said.

Smith arrived at Monday’s meeting shortly after Bennett left.

He'd been held up with work. “I had melting Gelato,” said Smith, director of sales for Gelato Fiasco.

Budget committee member Norman Guidoboni asked if Smith had any Italian ice with him.

Smith had no frozen desserts to give out, and neither he nor Bennett had any budget numbers to give the committee; they said interim superintendent Wayne Dorr was working on a draft that the school committee could receive as early as Thursday, Feb. 20.

Smith told budget committee members he will keep them apprised of the budget work, and will be wanting to hear any ideas they have for saving money.

“You guys should be a part of it,” Smith said.

He predicted that, whether Wiscasset keeps three schools open or goes down to two, the school system will improve.

However, closing one building right away may not save as much money as some people expect, Smith said. Consolidation may best be may be done over a period of a few years, to ensure the savings stick and that the decisions benefit students, he said.