SAD 4 and 46 regional high school application nears completion

Two Maine school districts, SAD 4 (based in Guilford) and SAD 46 (based in Dexter), are close to finishing an application for state money to build a shared regional high school. The planned school would blend standard coursework, career and technical programs, and access to college classes. Officials say they do not know how much the Maine Department of Education could provide. The second of two application stages is due at the end of the month, and SAD 4's board voted to approve it so the vote appears in minutes sent with the paperwork. SAD 46 would act as fiscal agent.

The plan would shut three existing schools, including the technical center, and move students to one campus serving 28 communities. Districts outside the partnership could still send students for technical programs. The two school boards would keep running pre-K through grade 8. A proposed governance model gives each district four directors, with co-chairs at first and then alternating chairs. Two other districts, SAD 41 and RSU 64, left the effort in late 2024 after SAD 41's board declined to spend about $133,300 on startup and site work. The state then reduced the requirement from three high schools to two.

The article says the state got over 90 new school applications last year and has not said how many were for comprehensive high schools; two Aroostook County groups applied. If approved, the process would take six or seven years and require a local referendum. Choosing a site remains an open task, and presentations are planned in the ten communities involved.