Board reopens meeting‑location debate; motion to rescind April action withdrawn and topic to return to agenda

A motion to rescind the board’s earlier April 3 action on meeting locations was raised at the RSU 40 school board meeting and prompted an extended discussion among members and several public letters. The motion was later withdrawn and the board agreed to continue the discussion at a later meeting.

Why it matters: The location and format of board meetings affects public access, participation by residents across the district’s communities, custodial and staff workload, and the ability for members and the public to participate remotely.

What happened: A board member moved to rescind the April 3 motion that had set future meeting locations; the motion drew comments from members who argued both for a single central meeting site (to reduce travel and protect school staff from repeated room reconfiguration) and for rotating meetings around district schools (to encourage public attendance and let residents see school facilities).

Key concerns raised: Board members who supported a central site said frequent room reconfiguration imposes significant burdens on custodial staff and can degrade audio/video quality for remote viewers. Members who favored rotating locations said in‑person attendance and community support for school budgets increase when meetings are held in different schools.

Outcome: The rescind motion was withdrawn or rescinded during the meeting and no formal change to meeting locations was adopted at that time. Several members said they would place the topic on a future agenda so the board can develop a plan with broader input, potentially including custodial staff and technology staff.

Next steps: Board members asked staff to include the item on a future meeting agenda and suggested inviting administrators and facilities staff to present options for a technology solution or a schedule that balances public access and operational constraints.