The Wiscasset School Committee should figure out how many schools will be open next fall, because residents want to know, committee member Eugene Stover said.

“In my travels around town, I'm getting an awful lot of questions, because there's some information out there that this board is going to keep all three schools open ... and there's an awful lot of unhappy people,” Stover said at the panel's February 6 meeting.

The committee has begun talking about consolidation but made no decisions on which school or schools would be involved, or when.

Chairman Glen Craig said he hadn't decided if any of the three buildings should close.

Without question, a school needs to close, Vice Chairman Steve Smith said. But that change might best be done gradually, over two or three years, he said.

Smith has been hearing a range of views in town, even the idea of expanding to four schools, he said.

He and Stover differed on whether to have interim superintendent Wayne Dorr draft one budget for all three schools, or that plus an alternative one for two schools.

“I think it's a little much to ask for him to do two budgets, one budget that really, actually exists and one budget that's like a fantasy,” Smith said.

“I think the community needs the comparison,” Stover said. “This is what they're asking for.”

Stover reiterated past statements that property taxes face a big hike if all three schools stay open. He asked if Smith was thinking about what was going to happen with the tax rate.

“No, I'm thinking about the kids, really. I'm thinking about the schools and the best way to do it ...,” Smith answered.

The committee should make a public statement about the buildings, Stover said.

“I think the community is anticipating that we do something. I don't care whether we say you're going to keep all schools open or you're going to close one or which one, but we've got to do something. We've got to make a statement of what we're going to do.”