PARIS — The Paris Select Board approved sending a letter to the SAD 17 school district Board of Directors requesting a response to concerns related to the closing of Agnes Gray Elementary School in West Paris.

The concerns are the same raised in a joint legal complaint with West Paris contending that the closing of the school was illegal.

“The Town of Paris has significant interests in ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective governance within our school district, and we believe it is essential to outline these matters for your immediate consideration,” the Dec. 5 letter reads. “MSAD 17 wrongfully closed Agnes Gray without public input, and is deliberately neglecting Agnes Gray to force the necessity of a permanent closure.”

The letter contends that some students “reportedly miss instruction every morning due to arriving after classes begin.”

“Whether due to an increase in bus transportation miles consequent to the Agnes Gray closure, or to poor budgeting or hiring practices in general, MSAD 17 has failed to meet its mandate to provide transportation to students within the district, causing District students to frequently be stranded without bus or other transportation to school.”

The school district did not follow proper statutory procedures before closing Agnes Gray, the school was not ordered to be closed by any state or local authority, no referendum was held to allow voters to decide whether to close the school or fund repairs, and the district budget did not include funding for Agnes Gray, which is a violation of state-mandated funding obligations, according to the letter.

“In the meantime, MSAD 17’s actions have forced residents of West Paris and Paris to send their children to other schools, at substantial cost and inconvenience to families, and with substantial disruption to students, without any public say in the process,” the letter reads. “Agnes Gray is required to be open and operational until such time as MSAD 17 voters vote to close it according to 20-A M.R.S. § 4102.”

The letter asks for a formal and prompt response from the board of directors outlining steps that will be taken to address the concerns in the letter.

“Our community’s trust in the educational system and its leadership is paramount, and we believe that open communication and decisive action are necessary to resolve these issues effectively.”