KENNEBUNKPORT — The board of selectmen is seeking residents to volunteer for a committee that will research the feasibility of the town withdrawing from Regional School Unit 21.

The RSU 21 school board’s decision to reopen discussions on the district’s cost-sharing formula between Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel caused the selectmen Thursday to decide to form the seven-member committee, said Selectmen Chairman Stuart Barwise.

“What we’re doing arises from, and only from, the repeated frustrations with cost-sharing,” Barwise said at the selectmen’s meeting in the Village Fire Station.

The board will consist of five town residents, Town Manager Larry Mead and a selectman, yet to be appointed. Candidates will be appointed at the selectmen’s next meeting on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Village Fire Station.

Barwise said members will examine the educational, financial and management implications of leaving the district.

Exiting RSU 21 could be a difficult process for the town, with the Department of Education requiring a series of steps before they will consider allowing them to leave. Kennebunkport will need to submit a petition with residents’ signatures to the DOE, form a withdrawal committee, host two town-wide elections and establish a plan for how students will be educated outside the district.

The withdrawal research committee will have four weeks to look into the costs of leaving and forming a new school system for their town. Subjects to be studied will include transportation, constructing new schools and serving students with special needs, according to Selectmen Vice Chairwoman Sheila Matthews-Bull.

“By having five people you can break it down into categories,” said Matthews-Bull at the meeting, about dividing the research responsibilities between committee members.

She added that the selectmen’s decision to pursue the withdrawal process will be determined by how high the costs will be to separate themselves from Kennebunk and Arundel.

Kennebunkport isn’t the only town considering leaving the RSU.

Some Arundel residents have already begun a withdrawal process for their town. A petition containing 380 signatures was sent to the Arundel town clerk’s office earlier this month and is in the process of being validated.

The RSU 21 school board voted in favor of forming a nine-member committee last month to reconsider the towns’ cost-sharing agreement. The committee will consist of two residents-at-large and one school board member from each town.

Kennebunk’s board of selectmen appointed their three representatives last month, including school board member Kevin Knight. Kennebunkport and Arundel have not yet appointed members.

Costs are allocated between the three towns based 60 percent on property values and 40 percent on pupil count. District residents voted against changing the formula to be based 100 percent on property values last May.

“This board is very respectful and appreciative of RSU 21,” said Barwise as a final note on the matter, but added that the selectmen are not ready to revisit cost-sharing discussions so soon.

Those interested in sitting on the withdrawal research committee should contact the town manager’s office at 967-4243, Ext. 106.

— Staff Writer Matt Kiernan can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 326 or mkiernan@journaltribune.com.