KINGFIELD — By a margin of fewer than 40 votes, residents voted on Thursday to remain in School Administrative District 58.
Sixty-nine voted to move ahead in the 22-step process of exploring leaving the district, but 107 voted no.
Polling was steady, according to ballot clerk Pat Meldrum, who said by 2 p.m., 52 regular ballots and 35 absentee ballots had been cast. Voters came and went, sometimes chatting briefly with the ballot clerks, but they were reluctant to speak about the issue at hand.
Ballot Clerk Neal McGurty wasn’t surprised most people didn’t want to speak publicly about their views. “It’s a peaceful community, and people don’t want conflict,” he said.
“Everybody, whether they’re in support of it or not are really making valid points,” said Leanna Targett, Kingfield’s administrative assistant. “We’ve come back to this a few years in a row now at least. Maybe it’s time.
One voter who preferred not to be identified said, “I would rather see us wait a year and make the decision now that we have a new superintendent in the district as well as new board members representing us, so I would prefer to wait before putting the money into the possibility of withdrawal.” She said she hopes the new board and superintendent will make more “student-based decisions.” She said she sees the year to come as a growth year but one of positive changes.
Michael Kankainen was hoping for a “no” vote.
“I do not think it can be done any cheaper than what we’re already doing it for with the district, and (the) last graduating class of Kingfield High School … worked long and hard to get a more consolidated school with more opportunities, and it would be too bad to go backwards,” he said.
If there was one striking characteristic of this decision, it was the civility with which it was all conducted. It was also widely discussed in the wild domain of social media on the Kingfield Community Forum page. There, people disagreed nicely and apologized if anything was construed as hurtful.
Board member Paul Oberton reasoned online, “I understand why you want to look at withdrawing, but I’m asking as a board member give us a year, the students of all of sad 58 rely on everyone working together to make this district thrive. Thank You.”
Heather Moody posted, “Please vote on Thursday! The more voters who come out, the better the directions for the Town Leaders. This is only a vote to either look at Kingfield’s educational options or not to look at them. It is not about MSAD58 or its leaders/board members. It is about what is best for Kingfield students, taxpayers and the future of our Town.”
A letter from the new superintendent Susan Pratt encouraged a “no” vote and offered her support to rebuilding the district: “I would as that if there are issues that can be clearly articulated that they are communicated, and will be dealt with as we rebuild our school system.”
Douglas McIntire — 861-9252
dmcintire@mainetoday.com
Twitter: @CD_McIntire
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