Westport Island’s Withdrawal Committee members are busy searching for alternatives to RSU 12 for the town’s 72 students. The town voted June 12 to begin the process of withdrawing from the school district.

The four-resident Withdrawal Committee held their third meeting Monday evening, with the responsibility of developing a withdrawal plan.

They are finding out that will not be an easy chore.

Along with developing a withdrawal plan, they also want to have an alternative ready for the voters when they make their final vote to withdraw.

The committee is looking at several alternatives and has scheduled appointments with AOS 98 Superintendent Eileen King, which comprises Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb and Georgetown; and AOS 93 Superintendent Steven Bailey, which comprises Damariscotta, Pemaquid, Jefferson, Nobleboro and South Bristol. The committee is waiting to hear from RSU 1 Superintendent Patrick Manual, Bath, West Bath, Phippsburg and Woolwich.

In preparing for the meetings, a list of more than 40 questions has been prepared. However, the committee will only ask six questions at the interviews, leaving the remaining questions to be answered at the superintendent’s leisure.

The six questions are: Does including Westport Island benefit district members? Why should Westport Island consider your district as our education partner? What are your education priorities and programs? Would the current administration structure accommodate adding Westport Island? What if Wiscasset also joined? Can we establish a contract for administrative services on an interim basis/can you confirm the estimated cost share for Westport Island (with and without Wiscasset) and the tuition rates?

A copy of the proposed questions will be sent to the superintendents prior to meeting with them.

The committee is working on an aggressive agenda. They are currently seeking the cost of the Island’s special education students, the names of parents on the island that have students in school, an appointment with Deputy Commissioner of Education Jim Rier, and seeking an attorney to guide them along the way.

The committee has thus far been unsuccessful in getting information from the district because the central office was being moved from Whitefield to Somerville during the past two weeks. 

The next meeting of the Westport Island committee will be held Tuesday, Aug. 14, at 6 p.m., at the town office.