There is land for sale in Edgecomb, and one resident thinks it might be a good spot for a regional high school. On May 8, Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 Superintendent Bob Kahler told Edgecomb School Committee members about a brief conversation with an Edgecomb resident. The unidentified resident informed Kahler about land for sale in Edgecomb large enough to build a high school. “There was a brief conversation with the board,” Kahler said. “All I did was tell them somebody informed me there was land available in Edgecomb for a high school. The committee discussed it briefly, but there is no talk in any of the AOS 98 towns about a regional high school.”

Edgecomb residents can send their grade 7-12 students to the school of their choice. Most students attend middle and high school in Boothbay Harbor, Wiscasset, or Damariscotta. Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor are developing a plan for a new high school and renovating the elementary school. On May 10, Kahler told the Boothbay Register the Community School District has discussed building a new high school for five years. “I’m sure a lot of different concepts were either talked about or considered, but the CSD board likes the current campus location because of the Y’s proximity. There has been no discussion about building a new school in a different location,” he said. 

In other action, the Edgecomb School Committee is making its final plans for the 2023-24 school budget hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 20 in the town hall. The committee is proposing a $3,432,354 budget which reflects an 11% spending increase. The committee is taking $150,000 from the fund balance to reduce the local tax burden. The local assessment is $2,563,789 which reflects a 17% increase. This year, the school budget is separate from the town meeting warrant. Selectmen opted to hold a town meeting referendum which takes place from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

State law requires a town meeting format in deciding school budgets. Melissa Holmes Whitt was chosen to moderate the school budget hearing.

The committee accepted two resignations and approved two new hires. Ruth Thyen resigned as an educational technician III effective April 2 and Haley Bezon submitted her resignation as a guidance counselor effective in June. The new hires are Haley Bailey and Zandra Morris as ed tech. IIIs. 

The committee meets next at 6 p.m. Monday, May 12 in the school cafeteria.