RSU 9  Town Votes

Chesterville:  21 yes, 5 no

Farmington:  97, 7

Industry:  26, 3

New Sharon:  45, 7

New Vineyard:  26, 1

Temple: 20, 0

Vienna: 14, 2

Weld: 17, 2

Wilton: 55, 7

TOTAL VOTES:   321 yes, 34 no

FARMINGTON — Voters in all nine Regional School Unit 9 towns approved of Starks joining the district Tuesday.

The total vote of  321-34 meant relatively few residents went to the polls.

Superintendent Michael Cormier previously called the proposal a “win-win” situation for everybody.

Starks residents voted last week to join the Mt. Blue district. In February, they voted to secede from RSU 59 based in Madison, which includes the towns of Madison, Athens and Brighton Plantation.

About 50 students are expected to attend RSU 9 schools in Farmington and New Sharon, with a potential for up to 70 students in time.

One reason Starks wanted to join RSU 9 is the quality of education that would be available.

“The plan assists the town of Starks in meeting its goals in providing a higher quality education for its children while also assisting RSU 9 in stabilizing its finances and student population,” the plan states.

The major benefit to RSU 9 taxpayers is $400,000 a year in combined additional state support and Starks funding to support educational programs. The exact amount will be based on student enrollment. The sum has minimal influence on the RSU 9 budget, which is currently $25.3 million.

The town of Starks will have one director on the RSU 9 board to make a total of 16 directors.

abryant@sunjournal.com