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SAD 46 defers to voters on reorganization

Posted Jan. 15, 2009, at 11:57 p.m.

DEXTER, Maine — SAD 46 directors elected this week not to take a position on the proposed school reorganization plan. Rather, they want voters to decide whether or not the plan has merit.

SAD 4 directors, the district’s partners in the plan, voted a unanimous no on Tuesday when asked as a board whether they supported the plan.

Residents in both districts will vote on the referendum on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Also at this week’s meeting, SAD 46 directors extended Dexter Regional High School Principal Steven Bell’s contract to June 30, 2011. His salary will be addressed during budget deliberations.

Directors were updated in an executive session on the progress of negotiations with the district’s bus drivers. SAD 46 Superintendent Kevin Jordan said both parties have gone through mediation, with health insurance an issue that is unresolved. The next step is fact-finding, should the bus drivers elect to do that, he said.