Going independent for education could cost Wiscasset $1.4 million more a year, not counting the projected one-time $1.5 million cost to break away from Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit, Wiscasset's consultants said.

Wiscasset residents heard those projections July 9 at a hearing on the town's proposed withdrawal deal with the district. Wiscasset voters could decide on the deal in November.

The consultants had some caveats and one suggestion regarding their  projections. The yearly, $1.4 million higher education tab to go it alone could shift higher or lower a year or more into independence, when the new school board would have a chance to consider changes such as closing a school, the consultants said.

Until then, the new board's members would be busy hiring a superintendent, drafting a budget and getting the first school year rolling, consultant Norm Higgins said.

“They're going to have their hands full ...,” Higgins told about 40 people who turned out for Tuesday's hearing in the Wiscasset Middle School gym.

Consultants recommended the town take out a loan for the one-time, $1.5 million hit it takes to withdraw. About half is to cover this summer's salaries; the district is still paying off its loan that paid summer salaries when Wiscasset joined the district, the district's board chairman Hilary Holm said.

The hearing was the latest step in the withdrawal process. The state  recently gave its conditional OK to a deal between the town and the district. The town's withdrawal committee has 30 days after the hearing to make any changes and return the agreement to the state for a final nod or recommended changes.

Wiscasset officials are looking toward a November referendum. If it passes, withdrawal would take effect July 1, 2014.

However, withdrawal via the polls will require a better voter turnout than the town has had lately. To the surprise of some at the hearing, Holm and other panelists explained passage will only count if the turnout equals half the number who voted in the last governor's election, plus one more voter.

The turnout requirement is a hugely important point, resident Steve Mehrl said from the audience.

It amounts to about 834 voters, Wiscasset Selectman Jeff Slack said. About 170 Wiscasset voters took part in the school unit's budget referendum June 28; about 400 voted on the town budget June 11.

“It's important if this (vote) means a lot to the town, that people get out and vote,” Wiscasset withdrawal committee member Jason Downing said.

In other details discussed, for 10 years Wiscasset would have no choice but to take district students who choose to attend its schools; however, the town would not shoulder any added special education costs that would entail.

And if the town rejects the first year's school budget, Wiscasset does not fall back into the district. The town would need to keep working until it passed a budget, panelists said.

The withdrawal deal calls for Wiscasset to buy used equipment from the district without the benefit of depreciation being factored in. Attorney and Wiscasset withdrawal consultant Geoffrey Hole likened it to “Divorce Barbie” costing more than other Barbie dolls because she comes with Ken's car and other assets, he said.

The hearing got briefly uncomfortable when former district board member Gene Stover and Holm had an exchange. Stover referred to thousands of dollars he maintained Wiscasset should have coming from the district.

Holm declared Stover out of order and, when he continued, she asked if he had any questions about the withdrawal agreement.

“I'd like to lecture a bit,” said Stover, a former assistant principal at the high school and a longtime local teacher.

“I'm not going to allow it,” Holm said.

“Well, thank you very much,” Stover said.

Another public hearing will be required ahead of Wiscasset's ballot question.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or sjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com.