Discomfort with school district consolidation is on the rise in Arundel, thanks to a controversial decision by the board of Regional School Unit 21.

The town’s educational system was once an uncomplicated arrangement based on just one school and tuition arrangements for older students. Now that Maine’s school district consolidation law has joined Arundel with Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, the town is facing the reality that change is at hand.

The RSU 21 board voted to buy out a contract between Arundel and Thornton Academy, regarding a middle school now attended by 145 Arundel students. Breaking the contract is seen as an investment that may result in higher enrollments at the Middle School of the Kennebunks. Arundel parents’ preferences appear to lie with Thornton Academy Middle School, but board members apparently believe they can be won over.

Imposing the discipline of the free market is now widely seen as an appropriate path for education. This week an RSU 21 board member predicted that competition for students would force both schools to “do a better job.”

But perhaps the interests of both RSU 21 and Arundel might have been better served by a more patient approach.

 RSU 21 will have to buy its way out of the contract at a cost of $1.2 million. Even then, state law maintains the right of Arundel students to attend Thornton Academy Middle School, if they wish. Although a survey found parents favor TAMS, the board apparently believes the tide will shift away from Saco and toward Kennebunk.

Lingering resentment could work against this goal. Those who are aggrieved by the board’s decisions are urging parents to stick with TAMS and even to begin working to withdraw from RSU 21.

In its haste to divert pupils to Kennebunk, the board also voted to allow up to 15 Arundel students per grade level to enroll at Middle School of the Kennebunks next year. This provision appears to violate the terms of the Thornton Academy contract, which specifies that it will educate all Arundel students.

We don’t object to tough negotiations between RSU 21 and Thornton Academy. But we fear that this educational dispute may have long-term impacts by overshadowing the importance of community support and collaboration.

— Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at nickc@journaltribune.com.