Wiscasset is moving closer to having its seventh and eight grades at Wiscasset High School next year. At a workshop Nov. 17, the Wiscasset School Committee supported the grades’ move from Wiscasset Middle School. The committee has set a special meeting for 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 at Wiscasset Middle School to consider voting to authorize the move. A public hearing on the primary school closure referendum follows at 6 p.m.

The seventh and eighth grades would have their own section of the building and have lunch apart from the high school grades, but would be welcomed into the school community, Wiscasset High School Principal Cheri Towle said. She reiterated past statements that the grades’ move could lead those students to choose Wiscasset High for their high school years. And she predicted that eighth graders who are ready to take on a high school course would be excited and proud, not scared, at the prospect of being in a class with ninth graders. That’s what she observed at her last school.

Committee Vice Chairman Glen Craig asked that the younger students have a say in whether or not they take a high school class, because, he said, not doing well in it could impact their confidence.

Years ago, Wiscasset Middle School’s older students attended the high school building while work was being done on the middle school, committee member Eugene Stover said.

“We’ve already done this once, and I think we can do it again,” he said.

Interim Superintendent Lyford Beverage said a move would have few costs. Bus routes would probably be similar to what they are now since different-aged students already ride buses together, he said.

Wiscasset parent Andrea Main told the committee she does not oppose the move.

“It just needs to be a comfortable transition ... I think it could be wonderful for the kids,” she said.