BUCKFIELD — The towns of Buckfield, Hartford and Sumner are currently in step 8 of Maine’s 22-step process to withdraw from RSU 10, and are drafting a formal agreement between the withdrawal committees in each town and the RSU 10 Board of Directors.
State law requires the agreement to be submitted to the Maine Commissioner of Education within 90 days of a committee’s formation, though extensions may be granted. Negotiations remain ongoing.
The withdrawal efforts began on Aug. 28, 2025, when the three towns submitted a petition requesting separation from RSU 10. The petition included 119 valid signatures, exceeding the 98 required under state law.
Since December 2025, the committees have held at least 15 public meetings, rotating among Buckfield, Hartford, and Sumner, to discuss the terms of a potential withdrawal. Early work focused on organizing the committee structure, hiring legal counsel, and establishing a budget for the process.
As discussions progressed, members reviewed draft sections of a withdrawal agreement, met with a prospective educational consultant, and considered the financial, educational, and operational responsibilities the towns would assume if they left the district.
They’ve also considered siting an administrative office for a potential new district in Buckfield.
The withdrawal agreement must address a wide range of requirements under Maine law, including the division of district assets and liabilities, governance structure, transportation, staffing needs and long-term financial obligations.
It must also include five-year enrollment projections and outline where students would attend school for at least the next decade, including tuition agreements with other districts and estimated per-pupil costs.
Even if the towns do not operate their own schools, they would still be required to form a new school administrative unit with its own school board, superintendent and budget. The agreement must also detail how the new district would meet state reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
The committees remain in the negotiation phase and have not yet finalized the withdrawal agreement, which must be completed before the process can advance to a public vote.
The next opportunity for voters to weigh in would come at Step 16, when each town would hold a special town meeting on the proposed agreement.
If approved, the final six steps involve state certification and implementation.
If Buckfield, Hartford and Sumner ultimately withdraw, it would mark the third time communities have left RSU 10 since the Western Foothills School District was formed in 2009.
At its creation, RSU 10 consolidated 12 towns. Today, the district includes schools across seven towns: Buckfield, Hanover, Hartford, Mexico, Roxbury, Rumford, and Sumner.
Canton, Carthage, Dixfield and Peru withdrew from the district in 2017 and formed Regional School Unit 56.
If the current effort succeeds, RSU 10 would be reduced to Hanover, Mexico, Roxbury, and Rumford.
Supporters of withdrawal say leaving RSU 10 could increase local control over educational decisions and potentially reduce long-term costs for taxpayers.
Opponents argue further withdrawals could weaken district finances, limit educational opportunities and create uncertainty for students and staff.
The next withdrawal committee meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 9 at the Buckfield Town Office.
To read minutes or watch recordings of past meetings, go to RSU 10 Withdrawal Committee | Town of Buckfield.
