Residents of Regional School Unit 1 are still trying to solve the problem of sharing education costs equitably among the school district's five member towns. 

During a September 24 meeting, committee members charged with bringing a recommendation to the RSU 1 Board of Directors reported they are still trying to reach consensus on some issues. 

The Cost-Sharing Committee formed after a vote in April changed the way in which towns in the school district share the education budget, from using the state subsidy formula ED279 to a law called LD910 that breaks costs into thirds (one third state valuation of a town, one third student population and one third town population).

Since the RSU's formation, the school district had been using the LD910 law just for additional local costs, a smaller portion of the cost sharing plan. After Woolwich selectmen questioned the plan and the issue was deliberated at public meetings, the Board determined the LD910 law should apply to all of the education budget. However, some community members in the RSU are concerned the change does not spread the cost equitably.

The RSU 1 Cost-Sharing Committee has met numerous times throughout this summer to review the school district's current cost sharing formula, with the goal of having a recommendation for the board. They said it might be too soon to push for voter approval of a plan by November. 

“I thought this would be a fairly short process,” Phippsburg committee member Paul Gamache said. 

“The issues seemed self-evident.”

Gamache found that there are many viewpoints among committee members and no easy path to a cost sharing plan that would best serve all towns in the RSU over the long haul. Gamache did not see members resolving the issue for the November ballot, but later recommended a majority vote among committee members as a way to come to an agreement.

Woolwich committee member Allison Hepler and Gamache agreed ED279 is a complex and difficult formula.  Hepler said committee members have agreed state valuation and student count should be part of the formula, but have not agreed on the use of census data in a cost sharing plan.

Asked by board member David Barker why census is debated, Gamache said it does not have any direct correlation to school resources or a town's ability to pay. Hepler said the use of census data in a cost sharing plan would temper any great increases or decreases in state valuation.

“I am impressed with the diligence of this group,” Helper said, and added that members have looked beyond differing opinions to reach consensus. She said she is optimistic the committee will reach an agreement.

Their report to the board indicated that a best solution would likely not please everyone, but may end being a plan no one would seek to prevent from being implemented.

Board Chairman Tim Harkins stressed it was important for committee members to reach a conclusion about the issue: should the RSU support the current formula until an alternative is agreed upon?

“We're running out of time,” he said, thanking committee members for their work.