Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions that are being asked about this study.

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How was the Study Committee formed?
What is the Study Committee's charge?
Does the Study Committee have to develop a report?
What is the period of time for the Study Committee to complete its work?
Where does the Study Committee file its Report?
What happens after the Study Committee files its Report?
When do voters get the opportunity to vote at referenda on whether the regional school district shall be dissolved?
What is the majority vote requirement to approve the question at referenda?
If RD11 is dissolved, what happens to PHHS?
If the decision is to dissolve the region how long will it take to close?
If RD11 dissolves, where will Scotland, Hampton and Chaplin children in grades 8-12 go to school?
What will be the financial impact to the towns if RD11 is dissolved?

1. How was the Study Committee formed?

The study committee was formed by the Connecticut Department of Education as a result of a referendum vote in Scotland and Chaplin in January of 2008. The statutory authority for the composition of the committee comes from CT General statute, Sections 10-63a and 10-63b.

2. What is the Study Committee's charge?

The charge to the Committee is specified in CT General statute 10-63b and 10-63c which states that the committee is to "study issues relating to the dissolution of the regional school district" and file a report.

3. Does the Study Committee have to develop a report?

As specified in CT General statute, 10-63c, the study committee must develop a report containing seven statutory items: (1) Its recommendation concerning the advisability of a withdrawal or dissolution; (2) a determination of the value of the net assets of the regional district; (3) an apportionment of the net assets to each member town on the basis of the ratio which the total average daily membership of such town since its membership in the regional district bears to the total average daily membership reported to the State Board of Education by the regional board of education up to and including the last such report; (4) a plan for settlement of any obligations and the transfer of property from the regional school district to the member town school districts; (5) a timetable for the orderly withdrawal or dissolution of the regional district and establishment of local boards of education if none exist; (6) the question to be determined by the referenda; and (7) such other matters as the committee deems necessary.

4. What is the period of time for the Study Committee to complete its work?

As specified in CT General statute 10-63c, within one year after its appointment, the study committee must prepare a written report. For the study group, the one year date is May 22, 2009.

5. Where does the Study Committee file its Report?

As specified in CT General statute 10-63c, the study committee must submit its report to the State Board of Education.

6. What happens after the Study Committee files its Report

As specified in CT General statute 10-63c, if the report is approved by the State Board of Education, the study committee presents the report to the member towns at public meetings in each town and then establishes a date for the referenda to be held in the member towns.

7. When do voters get the opportunity to vote at referenda on whether the regional school district shall be dissolved?

As specified in CT General statute, 10-63c, which incorporates Section 10-45, voters in each town shall have the opportunity to vote on the report, whether or not it recommends dissolution, on a date established by the study committee.

8. What is the majority vote requirement to approve the question at referenda?

As specified in CT General statute 10-63c, an affirmative majority vote in each town is required.

9. If RD11 is dissolved, what happens to PHHS?

If dissolution is recommended, the dissolution plan prepared by the committee and sent to the state Board of Education will include recommendations for PHHS.

10. If the decision is to dissolve the region how long will it take to close?

This will be determined as part of the dissolution plan prepared by the committee and sent to the state Board of Education.

11. If RD11 dissolves, where will Scotland, Hampton and Chaplin children in grades 8-12 go to school?

Nearby schools are being evaluated by the committee and the local boards of education. Recommendations will be included as part of the dissolution plan prepared by the committee and sent to the state Board of Education.

12. What will be the financial impact to the towns if RD11 is dissolved?

As part of the dissolution study, the assets and liabilities of the region and potential financial impact on the 3 towns are being analyzed and evaluated. The local boards of education have also been asked to assist with this evaluation. Financial impact will be included as part of the dissolution plan prepared by the committee and sent to the state Board of Education.