Wiscasset will find farming out its high school students would not save money, selectmen’s liasion to the Future of Wiscasset Schools Committee, Kim Andersson, predicted Dec. 2.

“I think we’re going to discover (the savings) don’t exist.”

Meeting with the new panel over Zoom, Andersson said K-8 would not fit in one building. The committee should document what it finds, “so we can put that question to bed,” Andersson said.

No one spoke in favor of tuitioning out the high school grades. Participants mostly talked about wanting more students; how to tell the public what Wiscasset Middle High School offers; and find out what else people want it to offer. Member Pat Cloutier suggested a survey. Members said they should publicize science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and other programs, including the virtual high school. Staff member Debra Pooler said it offers 300 courses, from psychology to Japanese and more.

Wiscasset Parks and Recreation Director Duane Goud observed, when people say Wiscasset doesn’t offer something, it turns out, it does. 

The meeting was the first for the panel that stemmed from a June town vote to study the school department’s future, “including all options for expansion, consolidation, or continuing the status quo.” The committee made Goud, a past school sports coach, chair.

Getting Dresden students back is a “real possibility,” school committee member Jason Putnam said. He said that could add 100-plus, maybe as many as 150 students. There would not be space for that many right now due to the pandemic, Pooler said. She spoke extensively about its impact. School is not as fun for students, without the assemblies and dances, all part of the socialization they need, she said. 

The committee’s work “would be much simpler if we weren’t in the middle of this pandemic,” Pooler said. She praised Wiscasset’s efforts to hold sports, including teaming up with longtime sports rival Boothbay Region.   

Members were mixed on if Wiscasset is a potential source of more students. They noted it, like Maine, is high in older residents, including retirees who have moved to town in recent years. But they are also seeing young families. Member Wallace Giakas hopes to start one. And he said more families may be headed here.

Pooler recalled when Wiscasset was second only to Portland in teacher pay. Wiscasset has lost some very good teachers to places that pay more, she said.

Members have homework to do before they meet again at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5. Goud said to study ED 279, the school funding formula, so they can discuss it. It is intense, said Andersson, who works in education, formerly in Wiscasset. Members want to understand the document to aid their work and to help fellow residents understand it.