Wiscasset School Committee Chair Jason Putnam told fellow future of the schools committee members Nov. 18, the cost to build a school now is so "daunting," towns might not want to go in together on a regional school to consolidate. The idea has been one of several the selectboard-appointed future of the schools committee has raised as it continues gathering information.

Said Putnam, "It's like your old, trusty car. Sometimes you stick with what you have and keep fixing it, instead of trying to build a new one, in my opinion. But we need to come up with some new hard data," he added.

Future of the schools committee members Beth Bluteau and Pat Cloutier said their research thus far does not show area student populations will grow in the next several years, based on the youngest grades' sizes onward, and based on area population trends. Based on grade sizes, Bluteau said, "They're small numbers, so (the information is) really leaning toward combining schools would definitely be beneficial for all towns involved."

"And the growth projected is not good. There is growth expected, but it's in the 60 and over age group," Cloutier said. "So they won't be going to school," unless it is to college, she said. "It's just a continual decline, as far as children are concerned."

At the suggestion of Selectmen's Chair Sarah Whitfield, the board's liaison to the committee, Cloutier and Bluteau will also seek out Dresden's numbers.

Fielding committee questions, Superintendent of Schools Kim Andersson noted the department is seeking a grant to expand PreK. 

The committee discussed possible guest speakers, including Wiscasset schools' transportation and facilities director, John Merry, and Leah Bickford, chair of Dresden's education exploratory committee.

Wiscasset's future of the schools committee meets next at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16 at the town office.