Voting 1,163 to 226, residents in St. George approved withdrawing from RSU 13. They also approved a school administrative ordinance, 1,051 to 275. 

The withdrawal question on the municipal ballot was: "Do you favor the withdrawal of the Town of St. George from Regional School Unit 13 subject to the terms and conditions of the withdrawal agreement dated Aug. 20, 2014?"

 At its meeting on Sept. 29, the Select Board voted unanimously to recommend a “Yes” vote on withdrawal.

The board cited a number of benefits of withdrawal. Local control of the school budget and programs would create greater accountability to parents and taxpayers for the success of the educational system. It anticipated that valuable programs cut by RSU 13 would be reinstated, that the eighth grade would be restored to the St. George School and that high school choice would offer better and more varied educational opportunities for St. George’s high school students. The statement noted that all of this could be accomplished without any increase in the school assessment.

Related links:

• St. George holds Oct. 23 public hearing on school district withdrawal

• St. George Select Board supports school district withdrawal; readies for Nov. 4

• St. George residents consider creating their own school district, examine pros and cons