Wiscasset School Committee member Sharon Nichols on January 11 suggested others consider resigning if the time needed to put a school department together is too much for them. 

Nichols, a retired educator, told the committee she was extremely concerned about members being able to get to meetings with school officials and others during the day. She estimated the workload at 15 to 20 hours a week, for at least the next several weeks.

“If this isn't feasible, then you need to consider stepping down,” Nichols said early in the committee's meeting Saturday at Wiscasset High School. It was the panel's second meeting since Wiscasset voters elected them January 7.

Fellow board member Gene Stover is also retired; he, too, raised the time commitment issue at the panel's first meeting on January 8. He told committee members he didn’t know how they were going to be able to do all that is involved.

The other three, Chairman Glen Craig, Vice Chairman Steve Smith and member Colleen Bennett all work. They did not respond to Nichols' comments during Saturday's meeting, but had varied reactions in brief interviews afterward.

“It took courage for her to say it,” Craig said. He declined further comment.

Smith, who won one of the seats that Nichols' fellow Wiscasset Educational Research Panel member Doug Smith had also sought, said he expects to be able to adjust his schedule to meet the committee's needs.

Bennett said she expected to be able to do what the committee needs, and that so far, she has been able to.

“But if my full-time job ever prevents me from doing that, then in the interest of the committee, I would look at that ... at stepping down,” Bennett said.

Also Saturday, Craig questioned part of Stover's handling of plans to meet with Regional School Unit 12 officials. Stover said he had planned to meet alone with Superintendent Howard Tuttle, but after Tuttle said he'd like the district board's chairman to also be there, Nichols agreed to attend, too.

Craig said he would like to go, too, and that Stover should have informed the committee about the district board chairman being included. Then the committee could have discussed how to proceed, Craig said.

“My opinion is my opinion,” the chairman said.

Having three committee members there would make it a meeting open to the public. Nichols said she would not attend; that brought the count back to two, Stover and Craig.

In other developments, the Maine School Management Association is getting the committee a list of retired superintendents to consider for the interim chief's slot.

Smith and Bennett agreed to work on the search for both the interim and permanent superintendents.

Former Wiscasset Primary School principal Cheryl Howe told the committee the choice of interim superintendent will be critical as the department takes shape. One issue will be the possible closure of one of Wiscasset's three schools, she said.

“I know some people want three schools to stay open. Frankly, it's not realistic,” Howe said. She urged committee members to choose an interim superintendent who would serve them well.

Wiscasset Middle School administrative assistant Cindy Collamore said she wasn't there to advocate for the school, but did want to point out that it is the most energy efficient one of the three, and a short walk to downtown. That saves on field trip costs, she said.

Collamore also mentioned a portable unit that the school is currently using for storage. That could easily be converted into the superintendent's office, she said.

Members have mentioned consolidation but not discussed it in depth. Closing a school would yield tremendous savings, Nichols said at the January 8 meeting.

The committee on January 11 also mulled notifying teachers of potential layoffs, to avoid owing three months' pay and benefits to any who lose jobs. Committee members have not said there will be job cuts.

Without the notices, Stover said, “You're going to find yourself in a financial mess.” They would need to go out in February, he said.

“Do we absolutely have to?” Craig asked.

“Or we can pay 90 days,” Smith said.

 “I just don't want to rock a boat ... if we don't have to,” Craig said.

The panel also continued talks on what to seek for start-up money ahead of the first school budget. Selectmen's Chairman Ed Polewarczyk on January 8 told committee members the board has options for getting them the money.

 Members on January 11 considered asking for as much as $250,000, the same figure Doug Smith floated to selectmen prior to the committee elections.

The committee is set to meet next from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 16, at Wiscasset High School. Collamore urged the members to keep students’ education at the forefront of their planning.