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Walker’s Future

There will be a Walker’s Future meeting on Wednesday September 4th

starting at 6:30pm

at the Liberty Town Office.

 

 

The focus of this meeting will be the next steps for the Walker Future Committee and refocusing on gathering information to evaluate what the town’s options are. Let’s make sure we have critical mass from the Walker Future Committee in order to make sure this time can be productive!

 

Walkers Future Committee

Updates as of 6/26/24

The goal of the Walkers Future Committee is to gather accurate information and present it in a clear manner to Liberty residents.  Our intent is that this information gathering will support the town in making the best, well-informed decision about the future of Walker School and the education of Liberty students.

The committee was formed at the request of Liberty Selectpersons.  It includes residents, select persons and a representative from Midcoast Council of Governments.

Here is what we are currently working on and know so far:

What we know:

  • In June, 2024 RSU #3 School Board voted to close both Walker and Morse School at the end of the 24/25 school year.  This date is a year later than the initial vote to close the school at the end of the 23/24 school year.
  • The Superintendent is currently creating the School Closure report that is due to the Department of Education (DOE) .  That report will include their plan for continued education of students attending Walker School along with their proposed plan for disposition of the school building.  It also includes the financial impact of closing the school and existence of any other financial commitments.
  • Initial approval of the closure report by DOE will be July 29, 2024 and the Board then submits it to the Liberty Select Board by August 12, 2024.  The town then has 10 days to challenge data.  DOE then has 10 days to approve/respond or require correction and resubmission.
  • The RSU #3 Board will hold a public hearing on October 21, 2024
  • Nov. 5, 2024, Vote will be held in affected towns.  (Brooks, Waldo, Liberty).   The vote will give Liberty the choice 1) close the school at the end of the school year OR 2) not close the school and the town of LIberty pays the additional costs for keeping the school open.  Those costs are determined in the school closure report.
  • We know that the projected enrollment at Walker School for the 2024-25 school year is 38 students.

What we are working on:

  • Adi from Midcoast Council of Governments is working with other towns within the district to seek more clarity from the district about long term plans.
  • Committee members are gathering information about the following possible scenarios 1. Closing the school and taking ownership of Walker School         2. Closing the school and not taking ownership of Walker School.  3. Withdrawal from the district and providing choice to students of attending nearby schools.  4. Withdrawal from the district and creating an alternative school in Liberty.
  • The committee is creating a page linked to the Liberty Town Office, that will provide updates about what is happening and information we have gathered.
  • The committee meets regularly with the next meeting scheduled for July 18th at 6:30 in Liberty Town Office.