Pictured are some of the 60 residents of New Portland who attended a public hearing on the fate of the Central Elementary School Monday night, April 13, at the school hosted by the MSAD #74 school board. (Laura Dunham photo) NORTH NEW PORTLAND — The fate of the Central Elementary School at the North Village in New Portland was discussed by some 60 residents Monday night, April 13, with the meeting called by the Superintendent of the MSAD #74 School District Dr. Ken Smith and board members Solon chairman Andy Davis, Mitchell Quint and Wayne Rugh of North Anson, Sylvia Taylor of Embden and Gene Hutchins and Rosemary Underwood Nadeau of New Portland.

As the meeting progressed, it seemed uncertain just who owns the land and the school, which is due to be closed in June. Dr. Smith told those present that MSAD #74 had a deed stating that it owned the land and the school, but on Thursday he said that no such deed could be found.

The town has three deeds dating back to the 1940s indicating that the land was donated by the Omer and Etta Chase family and if the school was ever closed it would revert to the heirs. The Chases great-grandchildren (one of them, Pete Bearor, was at the meeting) will have to decide if they want the land back.

In the meantime, a vote has been scheduled for April 28 to decide if the town wants to continue to operate the school for its some 17 children with a staff of six.

The sole cost to the taxpayers if they decide to keep the school open would be about $295,000. Janet White, chairman of the board of selectmen, told those present that if the town decided to continue to operate the school, the mil rate would go from $15 to $20.

Dr. Smith said he was hopeful that he could get the April 28 scheduled vote changed to the end of May to give the town time to get all its facts and deeds ironed out, but this would mean calling a special MSAD #74 board meeting to get the date changed.

The problem is if the town votes not to operate the school and the heirs don't want it, what happens next?

Dr. Smith said if MSAD #74 gets stuck with the school, the district could possibly sell it or lease it out to someone.

But that's unclear that the district owns the land, said town manager Stacie Rundlett. It clearly says on the deeds, said Rundlett, that if the school is not used for educational purposes the land reverts back to the heirs. "It's a very muddy situation."

Rundlett said she has arranged a meeting with the heirs soon to discuss the situation and possible options.

Dr. Smith said that MSAD #74 has agreed to take down the playground equipment at the request of the Chase heirs. White also asked Smith what would happen to all the equipment, refrigerators, stoves, computers and furnishings inside the building, and Smith said that the items that could be used in other schools in the district; but if the town votes to take over the school then possibly some of the items could be left at the school.

Former town manger and resident Andrea Reichert asked the board, out of all the schools in the MSAD #74 school district just why the Central School was earmarked for closure. Board member Mitchell Quint told Reichert that it was due to the high cost of operating the school with so few students.