Alna’s proposed cutoff to publicly funded, K-8 private school choice has made it to a vote of all Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit 12 towns. The district board passed the question’s second reading, 8,860-1,126 in weighted votes Thursday night, giving it the super majority, or two-thirds, support it needed to go on the June 12 ballot, Superintendent of Schools Howie Tuttle said Friday.

The question proposes changing the district’s reorganization plan so  Alna’s K-8 school choice for resident children  applies to public schools only – unless the child lives in town by this June 30. Alna’s Ralph Hilton petitioned for the change. Local voters passed it in March, sending it onto the district board. 

Hilton said Friday he was feeling good. “I’m pleased that the board supported the voters of Alna. All the ducks are in a line” for the proposed amendment, he said.

A hearing on the ballot item is set for 6 p.m. May 29 at the district’s central office at 665 Patricktown Road in Somerville, Tuttle said.  

Proponents maintain Alna's largely residential tax base cannot afford the currrent setup because towns pay the district based on their student counts. An Alna group has raised questions about the proposed change and discussed the value of offering full school choice. One of its participants, resident Jon Villenueve, said Friday he was not surprised the board voted the same way it did on the first reading.

Asked what he hopes happens June 12, Villeneuve said he hopes the voters in all the RSU's towns vote how they feel is best for the RSU.