RANGELEY –- The hopes for the Rangeley Lakes Regional School District under its new Regional School Unit —RSU #78— are to include Rangeley Plantation in the future. That hope is also desired by at least two members of the Rangeley Plantation School Board.

In the past, the Rangeley schools tuitioned 30 percent of its students from over five plantations.

Last year, the majority of communities voted to form one unit. The intent was to provide more voice for the plantations by consolidating the current structure of many school boards into one reorganized and unified board. Members have realized that efficiencies can be gained and some costs can be saved by creating one board.

Joining the Town of Rangeley last year were Sandy River, Magalloway and Dallas plantations to form RSU #78.

The intent to join the district did not make sense for Lincoln Plantation with only one or two students.

According to Rangeley Plantation Board Chairman Beth Smith, some people in her community had unanswered questions on the cost formulas for funding students and the benefits for joining were unclear. This resulted in a no vote for Rangeley Plantation.

“A couple of people were unclear and now we have more information to bring to the voters and hopefully now we’ll get a positive ending result,” Smith said. We truly hope to bring this decision back to the plantation for a vote, she said.

But for now, Rangeley Plantation had its budget meeting on June 23 and went on to pass that budget to tuition their students for the next two years. At the Rangeley School Board meeting, directors agreed to give notice to Rangeley Plantation that they’ll only take their students for two more years.

As in so many school districts, Rangeley Plantation saw increases in costs for tuition, transportation, having to pay for its own superintendent, special education and variables set by the state. The plantation might find it less expensive down the road to join the RSU. It is possible that a committee may form to start looking into all of the options of joining the RSU.

Beth Smith, Michelle Elliott and Steve Dudley make up the Rangeley Plantation School Board.

“I think the Rangeley School Board RSU would like to see them (Rangeley Plantation) be part of the district,” said RSU director Ginny Nuttall. “It gives them a voice on the board, makes them part of the process and they’ll know what the budget will be.”

It’s their decision to do what they want, Nuttall explained. “I think they are realizing that they are paying more with the tuition costs, transportation, special education and having to have their own superintendent.”

It is estimated that an approximate $3,000 savings could be realized for each of the approximate 20 student if Rangeley Plantation joined the RSU. The RSU is experiencing over $200,000 in onetime start-up costs in its first year as a new district. More money could be saved in years ahead once those start-up costs are paid.