Three Aroostook County high schools consider merger to tackle declining enrollment

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Declining enrollment and unfilled positions are pushing three Aroostook County high schools to explore consolidation.

"We need to improve our infrastructure,” Ben Greenlaw, the superintendent of MSAD #1 , said.

Greenlaw said that, in addition to aging school buildings, the district is losing about 1% to 2% of its student population each year, is having trouble filling open positions, and is facing rising costs that are burdening taxpayers. Those same challenges are felt in MSAD #20 and RSU 39 .

"At the end, what we want is what best for our students, that what's number one,” Jane McCall, the superintendent of RSU 39, said.

That’s why leaders with Presque Isle, Caribou, and Fort Fairfield high schools are exploring whether consolidation could be a good fit.