Staff Writer

 A bill being considered by legislators could drastically change the composition of Regional School Unit 23.

The district, which includes Saco, Dayton and Old Orchard Beach, was formed in 2008 under the state’s 2007 Reorganization Law. 

Rep. Wayne Parry, whose district includes Arundel, Dayton and parts of Kennebunk and Lyman, is the sponsor of LD 803. The legislation would allow Dayton to withdraw from RSU 23 without penalty. The move would need residents’ approval.

The Saco City Council voted unanimously Monday to authorize the city’s state legislative delegation to work with Parry to include Saco in the bill.

Parry said he decided to sponsor the bill after the Dayton Board of Selectmen approached him with concerns about the district. He is co-sponsor of an identical bill to allow Arundel to opt out of its regional school unit with Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.

Parry said the intent of the reorganization law was to save money by consolidating services. He said Dayton selectmen do not feel the town is saving money.

“The overall cost seemed to be a lot more in their opinion,” he said.

Ted Poirier, chairman of the board of selectmen, said towns were promised they would see savings when reorganization first was discussed. He said towns were intimidated into consolidating because they faced loss of state subsidy and were nervous about penalties.

Poirier said Dayton officials work hard to keep taxes from rising, but doesn’t feel school district officials are doing the same.

“We’ve cut everything we can cut. The RSU didn’t cut positions,” he said. “It’s just not working out. All we want is the option to leave and we’ll take care of ourselves. Right now they just send us a bill and say pay it.”

To sever ties with a school unit, organizers of the initiative must gather a petition signed by registered voters  that equals 10 percent of those who voted in the previous gubernatorial election. The approval agreement must then be passed by a two-thirds majority in a town referendum.

Saco City Councilor Leslie Smith Jr. said he feels it is time for Dayton and Saco to move on from the school unit.

“All this money it was going to save has so far been down the drain,” he said.

Councilor Marie Doucette said she feels Old Orchard Beach is the only town to benefit from the creation of RSU 23. Councilor Margaret Mills said penalties the city faced for not consolidating were too high to ignore.

City Administrator Richard Michaud said the state has not assessed penalties against schools that failed to consolidate. At the time the RSU was formed, Saco faced a $1 million annual penalty for not consolidating, he said. He said the city joined so it would not lose its state subsidy.

“The bottom line was do it or pay,” said Mayor Ron Michaud.

Councilor Jeff Christenbury said Saco should have joined with Arundel instead of Old Orchard Beach. He said Saco “has not benefited whatsoever.”

“It’s been an interesting experience, but it’s time to get out,” he said.

Skip Cushman, the school board member who represents Dayton, said he supports the bills because it will give the “some options.” He said the town cannot afford to stay in the school unit unless the cost sharing formula is changed.

Gary Curtis, a school board member from Old Orchard Beach, said he thinks the bill is “ill-informed, ill-conceived and ill-timed, and a real disservice to the people of all three communities.”

Curtis said those who want out of the school unit don’t seem to take into account how the RSU has affected children in the classroom.

“This should have been the primary determinant of taking any such action, and was sadly lacking in the discussion as to why such a move would be beneficial,” he said. “I would challenge any of the councilors to find a child in any of the classrooms that is not now better off than they were before reorganization took place.”

Curtis said he thinks councilors and selectmen are upset about loss of control over the budget. The budget is now developed by the RSU board and approved by voters in all three communities in a budget validation referendum.

“The RSU has been very fiscally responsible. To say we’re not fiscally responsible is irresponsible,” he said.

Curtis said Old Orchard Beach would be left “high and dry” if Saco and Dayton pull out of the school unit.

The RSU 23 School Board has not yet discussed the bill, Curtis said. Superintendent Michael Lafortune was out of the office this week and not available for comment.

Parry said testimony about the Dayton and Arundel opt-out bills will be heard Friday in Augusta by the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.