The Wiscasset RSU Withdrawal Committee meeting with the RSU Withdrawal Committee, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 7, has been rescheduled for the week of February 18.

The delay is the request of the RSU Negotiating Committee Chairman Malinda Caron. In an email to the Withdrawal Committee members, she wrote, “We have been working hard to complete the action items from the last meeting.

“Belinda and Alan (RSU Superintendent Hawkins) have been trying to complete the work with still having to complete a budget and run the RSU daily business.

“(Attorney) Bill Stockmeyer has also been very busy with other RSUs withdrawal. He has also been out of his office for several days last week and this week. With all of this, we have not been able to complete all action items.

“We would like to reschedule the meeting for the week of the 18th. Please give us a couple of days that would work for your committee. Thank you for your understanding.”

The RSU negotiating committee and the Wiscasset Withdrawal Committee met on January 21 to discuss the counter withdrawal plan offered from the RSU. As a result of that meeting, several actions items were requested by the Wiscasset Withdrawal Committee.  

The RSU ad hoc committee was asked for the following information: Special Education count for October 2012 and identify the students who would stay in Wiscasset School; provide a listing of equipment, bonds, notes, lease purchase agreements and other vendor contracts; a list of positions that will need to be filled; and a draft for an orderly transition of administration and governance.

Withdrawal Committee Chairman Mary Myers said the committee has not received any of the information since the meeting January 21.

The Withdrawal Committee has been aiming for a June 2013 town-wide vote on Wiscasset’s withdrawal from the RSU. However, in order to meet the June deadline, a withdrawal agreement would have to be reached and approved in February, according to Myers.

“The delay and disregard from June 2012 until now by the RSU has deeply hurt our efforts,” Myers said.

“This has been and remains a disappointment and frustration. As we are working together it is very important to remind ourselves that not only is withdrawal a new process for Maine, but there are many holes and disorganized, unforeseen issues that arise.

“In fact, I commend Bill Stockmeyer for taking the initiative in regards to his 'if it isn’t in law and we need it, let’s go for it attitude!' As we move forward, the Wiscasset withdrawal committee will strive to be patient and cooperative as we have done up till this point, but tolerating any patterns of delays in the future will be put forth to our select board.”

RSU Negotiating Attorney William Stockmeyer indicated at the January 21 meeting, in his opinion, a June 2012 would not be obtainable because there was just too much that had to be done.

Charlotte Boynton can be reached at 207-844-4632 or cboynton@wiscassetnewspaper.com.