KINGFIELD — As the Select Board looks into the possibility of withdrawal from Maine School Administrative District 58, an informal committee will be formed to explore the options.

Resident Kathy Houston submitted the proposal June 16 to form the committee, emphasizing the importance of data-driven decision-making.

“The next step is your approval to have an informal committee that will look into the options, and then at some point that committee will present options to you and the town,” Houston said.

Kingfield is the third of four towns in the district that have collected signatures on petitions to start the 22-step process. Strong residents voted 124-61 and Phillips voted 71-64 in May to start the process. Avon residents, the fourth town in the district, are still collecting signatures on a petition to ask its board to start the process.

Rising education costs, declining student numbers, school maintenance and possible closure of a school are among the reasons given for the towns to consider leaving the district based in Phillips.

Houston noted the complexity of the issue and her belief that the town could offer quality education for less money.

“I’m finding this is a much bigger process than I thought,” she said. “I believe there are ways Kingfield can provide a really good education for less money.”

She emphasized the need for solid research.

“In order to form a committee, I want to make recommendations based on solid hard-core data, not emotions,” she said. “Please don’t say yes to the committee unless you believe in it.”

Houston said people had already expressed interest in joining.

The committee would be an informal one, she said, therefore no funding would be needed. “If there is a formal committee, we will request money,” she added.

Chair Wade Browne supported the idea. “… I am in favor of going forward with this group,” he said. “If we can find the money for the next step, so be it. A fact-finding, no emotional tie, for the whole town is the way to look at it.”

He added, “I think Superintendent Laura Columbia did a great job explaining numbers. We could understand it a little better.”

It was confirmed the committee could start without a town vote. Houston said it might take a month or more for the committee members to review the data. She welcomed participation from anyone, regardless of their stance on school withdrawal.

“I encourage people to check out my facts I’ve found,” Houston said. She created an email address, [email protected], for community members to sign up and stay informed.

Town Manager Leanna Targett reiterated the distinction between informal and formal groups.

“An informal group of individuals are looking into this,” she said. “A formal committee has to be formed before a vote.”

Board members and attendees thanked Houston, appreciating her open-minded and fact-based approach. “We have talked about this for years and years and it won’t be solved overnight,” Browne said. “Until you take steps to get all the info, which is better for everybody.”

Targett also reminded the board that a similar measure had gone to voters in 2015 but did not pass. She offered to share that information with Houston.