Barbara Baston is back serving Alna taxpayers and schoolchildren. Selectmen on April 23 named the retired Wiscasset kindergarten teacher to represent the town on Regional School Unit 12's board.

Baston served on Alna's school committee for about a decade until the town entered the school district.

Her appointment immediately follows the resignation of James Bailey; the district board takes more time than he can give now, due to work and family commitments, Bailey said an interview at the town office after Baston's swearing-in.

His resignation letter to selectmen states, in part: “I have truly enjoyed the last two years of serving ... and have learned a great deal in the process. Understanding the importance in having good representation for the town I regretfully ask that you accept this resignation in order to allow for a more available person to take over and better (represent) our needs and future in the RSU 12 school district.”

Baston will serve out the final year of Bailey's three-year term.

“I'm happy to have her,” said Ralph Hilton, Alna's other representative to the district board.

So is First Selectman David Abbott. He told Baston she did a great job while on the town school committee. “We appreciate very much you taking over the (board) position,” he said.

Also voting Baston in was Second Selectman Jon Villeneuve. Third Selectman David Reingardt was not at the meeting.

Baston noted she was not looking forward to the long drives to meetings in the far parts of the district. Discussions are under way about possibly holding a board meeting in Westport Island, Hilton said; one might also be able to be scheduled in Alna, he said.

Board meetings in the young district have historically been held at schools, leaving Alna and Westport Island out of the rotation.