It is time for West Bath to withdraw from RSU 1. The community attempted to participate for more than six years in a RSU only to find themselves overcharged $1.9 million in just four years. Plus, the residents of West Bath were never allowed to have a true community voice in school policy or procedure since the town’s representation was divided between two individuals who also represented a portion of Bath! Now is that equal representation? I certainly do not think it is. The taxpayer parents also missed the ability to match the high school to their students strengths. West Bath was very proactive when it came to their facility management instead of the established reactive policy displayed by RSU 1. Who ever heard of allowing a facility to deteriorate until windows fell out of the structure creating a hazard for students and staff ?

In the fall of 2013, a resident of West Bath talked to officials over his concerns of run away taxes. At that time the tax increase for the next fiscal year was 25 percent for each homeowner in West Bath! A group of citizens subsequently decided to to circulate a citizen petition requesting that West Bath withdraw from RSU 1. This committee then went door to door in many different areas of the town and talked with voters over the intent of the petition and what was needed to actually withdraw. During these one-on-one withdrawal discussions, it was discovered that the citizens were interested in withdrawing from the RSU 1 because of lack of school choice, control of West Bath Elementary School, which used to be West Bath property, and cost. More than the required number of signatures were submitted to the town office, which required the elected officials to hold a referendum election to gain approval to initiate withdrawal proceedings from RSU1. A committee was also formed to evaluate the possibility of withdrawal and present options available to the voters prior to the election. The voters resoundingly told the town it was time to start the 22-step withdrawal procedure. The town formed a committee comprised of one member from the petitioning committee, a parent from West Bath’s student population, a town elected official along with the town’s representative to the RSU 1 board. This committee’s charge was to negotiate the best possible withdrawal agreement with RSU 1. This committee has now developed a wonderful withdrawal agreement and it has been approved by the state. The agreement will allow West Bath to once again control the elementary school and to allow 25 percent of the students to choose the middle and high school of their choice while the others attend RSU 1 schools. Those students attending schools in Bath would actually have the taxpayer paying a lower cost per student than they paid when West Bath was a member of the RSU. All the proposed budgets developed for a stand alone school suggest there will be a savings for the taxpayers.

The voters in West Bath must now vote one more time saying they want to withdraw from RSU 1 before the withdrawal will be final. The election must have at least 50 percent of the total number of voters from the last general election plus one. Jan. 13, 2015 is the date of this last election. Please, West Bath voters, cast your vote in this election letting everyone know if you approve or disapprove of the withdrawal. If that required number of voters do not choose to vote, all the work from the last 15 months will be for naught. All legal voters in West Bath need to let their voices be heard.

In my opinion, a positive withdrawal would once again allow residents to control their valued elementary school, save the taxpayers in West Bath some money, and allow middle and high school students to attend a school that better fits their strengths.

So let your voices be heard on Jan. 13, 2015. You can even let your vote be heard by voting early. Please stop in the town office and meet the new employees and vote! All votes are needed.

Mary Brown
West Bath