The RSU 71 school board will convene on January 8, 2024, to vote on a controversial proposal that could lead to the closure of Kermit Nickerson Elementary School in Swanville. This decision comes after discussions held at a recent board meeting, where the interim superintendent indicated that the board could unilaterally relocate all students from the school without requiring a community referendum. Following this possible relocation, residents of Swanville would then be asked to vote on whether to retain the school building.
The rationale behind the proposed closure centers on financial savings. Interim superintendent Bob England stated that closing the Nickerson school could save the district an estimated $450,000. Additionally, he noted the potential to generate another $90,000 if the building is leased to another entity. The proposed closure is scheduled to take effect at the end of the current school year.
Concerns have been raised by parents and teachers regarding the decision-making process. At a tense community meeting last month, attendees expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency and the perceived haste of the board’s actions. Many questioned the absence of comprehensive data that would justify the assertion that closing the school would ultimately benefit the students of Swanville.
Cooper Reed, a parent of a third grader at Kermit Nickerson Elementary, voiced his concerns about the clarity of information provided by the administration. “I want what’s best for the district. I think it could have been done more thoughtfully and intentionally,” Reed remarked. He emphasized that the current approach is damaging trust between parents and the school district.
The school currently serves nearly 60 students, all of whom would be transferred to the Captain Albert Stevens School in Belfast if the closure proceeds as planned. The decision on January 8 will be significant, not only for the students and families involved but also for the broader Swanville community, which has a vested interest in the future of its educational facilities.
As the school board prepares for its vote, the outcome remains uncertain amid rising tension and concern within the community.
