Alna students who want to go to school in Edgecomb and Boothbay Harbor will have a ride all the way and arrive on time, Alternative Organization Structure (AOS) 98 Superintendent of Schools Eileen King said.

Transportation will be provided for any Alna students who want to to attend, King told Alna selectmen Aug. 2. That goes for Westport Island students, as well, according to King’s letters that have gone out to families. Students will be picked up and taken to Edgecomb, to either attend school there or take the bus onto Boothbay Harbor for grades seven through 12, King said in the letters and the discussion, part of the board’s meeting at the Alna fire station. Joining King were Edgecomb School Committee Chairman Tom Abello and Edgecomb Eddy School Principal Ira Michaud.

“Considering all the different start times for schools and all the different schedules, we’re really very pleased to say that this has all dovetailed very nicely, and the schedules all work beautifully, so the students will get to school on time,” King told selectmen. It took her 30 minutes to get to Alna that day, she said, adding it’s a beautiful commute–one she used to make when she lived in the area.

New this year, Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit 12 has tuition contracts to let Alna and Westport Island students attend pre-kindergarden through grade six at Edgecomb Eddy School, and grades seven through 12 at Boothbay Region elementary and high schools, according to King’s letters.

The plan is to take all the Alna and Westport Island students who ask to come and, if needed, look at adding personnel, King told the Alna board.

“I think it’s great to have another opportunity for the kids,” Third Selectman Doug Baston said.

Handouts King shared note Edgecomb Eddy has gotten back-to-back A’s on Maine’s school report cards, and Boothbay Region High School has made U.S. News & World Report’s list of top 10 Maine schools for three straight years.

A handout on Edgecomb Eddy’s new pre-K reads in part: “We will provide high-quality developmentally appropriate activities that increase school readiness in a safe and nurturing environment.” King told selectmen, pre-K students will start the school year learning to become students, and will initially have a separate recess from other students to help them transition to school.

Also Aug. 2, selectmen voted unanimously to decline the $80,951 ConnectME Authority grant announced last spring. ConnectME and selectmen learned afterward, the town already has service in areas the grant would have covered. Selectmen plan to apply for a new grant in ConnectME’s next round. That application will focus on upgrading service, selectmen said. Providers may do some upgrades on their own, depending on demand, Baston said.

Resident and Fire Chief Mike Trask commented on the board’s ongoing look into the town office’s future. He said the building should be removed and a new one should go in the same spot, not elsewhere on the parcel. Baston said Lewis and Malm Architecture, the firm the board hired to explore options, has found that, depending on where a new building goes on the 12 acres, town rules might require an abutter’s OK.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Aug. 16 at the town office.