WALES — After years of spending little on capital improvements, RSU 4 faces a choice, Superintendent Jim Hodgkin said.

Borrow $1.8 million to make building repairs or go for a larger bond, close the two oldest elementary schools and build an addition for those students elsewhere. But where?

The district has called two informational meetings to talk about the options and field questions at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Carrie Ricker School in Litchfield and at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Oak Hill Middle School in Wales.

The meetings follow a mailer to district residents in April and come in advance of a nonbinding vote on June 12.

“Sometimes we have our own language. It really is an opportunity for people to say, ‘What’s this all about?'” Hodgkin said.

Hodgkin, Jim Wilkens, director of facilities and transportation, and Business Manager Scott Eldridge will take questions.

Ultimately, the School Board is looking for direction, Hodgkin said. It can’t take out a bond or decide to close Libby-Tozier School and Sabattus Primary School, both prekindergarten to grade two, without going back to voters.

Among the options being considered if those elementary schools were to close: Building an addition at Carrie Ricker or Oak Hill Middle, but that could trigger more grade reorganization for those schools.

kskelton@sunjournal.com