By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
During the Feb. 15 regular meeting of the Eastern Aroostook RSU 39 board of education, members considered the submission of deeds for seven properties necessary to carry out the functions of the Eastern Aroostook RSU.
The properties included the following.
• High school described as a parcel of land containing 50 acres and being part of Lot 2 in that part of Caribou formerly “H” Township.
• Middle school beginning near the northern margin of High Street in the village and town of Caribou, containing 4 and 12/100 acres (plus or minus) conveyed to the town of Caribou in 1908.
• Learning Center (formerly the intermediate school) a portion of which was conveyed to the town in 1940.
• Teague Park School, part and only part of those premises conveyed to the town of Caribou in 1940.
• Hilltop School, containing approximately 16 acres, conveyed to Caribou in 1959.
• Superintendent’s office (formerly Sincock School) conveyed to the town of Caribou in 1917.
• Bus garage located on Glenn Street.
Following discussion among the board members and RSU 39 Superintendent Frank McElwain, a motion was made by Scott Willey and seconded by John Sjostedt that McElwain be authorized and directed to submit the deeds to the Caribou municipal officers (city council), requesting that titles to these designated school properties and buildings be transferred to the Eastern Aroostook RSU. This motion passed unanimously by the board.
At the Feb. 27 regular meeting of the Caribou City Council, the panel voted unanimously to accept the proposed transfer of deeds document, pursuant to review by the city’s legal counsel.
Caribou City Manager Steven Buck informed the councilors that the RSU must continue to use the properties for educational purposes and in the event that RSU 39, for any reason, ceases to do so, the city would have the right of first refusal regarding ownership, but would not be obligated to take the property(s) in question back.
In other business during the Feb. 15 RSU meeting board member Mary White moved to authorize using funds remaining in the inactive Limestone FFA and Drama Club accounts to purchase tables and chairs for the Limestone Community School cafeteria. Seconded by Cliff Rhome the motioned was passed by a weighted vote of 894-106.
McElwain announced that Emily O’Neal had been hired as the middle-level softball coach and Sarah Kamilewicz had been approved as volunteer assistant Nordic ski coach for the Caribou Middle School.
The next meeting of the Eastern Aroostook RSU 39 Board of Education is 7 p.m. tonight at Teague Park Elementary School.
