Community Conversation: Creating a Consolidated High School For RSU29, Region II CTE, and MSAD70

Synopsis

To the Students, Families, Staff, and Community Members of RSU 29, MSAD 70, and Region Two CTE schools including RSU 50, RSU 84, RSU 89: 

In 2017-2018, through the collaborative efforts of the Southern Aroostook Area Regional Service Center, our region was awarded a grant for a consolidated high school but did not move forward with that project. In 2025 the State of Maine released an updated grant cycle which only requires two high schools and a CTE center to apply for a consolidated school grant. RSU 29, MSAD 70, and Region Two CTE boards approved to apply for Part One of the application process, which was submitted in October of 2025. 

A dedicated committee has been meeting to prepare for Part Two of the application process which is due by October 31, 2026. The awarding of the project and securing millions of dollars in state funding could possibly be eight years down the road. We recognize that the idea of consolidation brings community questions. The committee has been proactive in working together to discuss challenging topics, including: 

• Identity: We understand that our schools are the heart of our communities. This application focuses on grades 7-12, plus post secondary access, and would keep Pre K–6 programming in each school district.
• Location: Strategic planning that maximizes funding to offer a one campus design by connecting Houlton Middle High School and Region Two CTE, while investing in renovations and expansion.
• Governance Structure: We wish to create a governance structure that oversees a consolidated building, while supporting continued local control of educational programming. 
• Address Shared Challenges: We are concerned with the state funding formula which has increased local shares while forcing continuous budget reductions. This grant could bring millions of dollars to our region to create a state of the art facility that provides robust opportunities for many years to come.

Community Conversation: April 7th, 6pm at the Temple Theater, 20 Market Square, Houlton.   Join us to hear more about the consolidation application process and attend a free movie presentation of “Multiple Choice“, a film which focuses on innovative schools. Over the upcoming months, the committee will prepare the Part Two Application and address further community questions. 

We believe that by working together we can create a premier educational environment that gives our students the tools and programming they need to succeed in the 21st century and beyond. 

Multiple Choice (2025), a documentary by Ted Dintersmith, challenges the outdated “college-for-all” narrative, showcasing how an innovative Virginia high school integrates career-based learning with academics to prepare all students for a rapidly changing economy.  The film highlights a “pathways-driven” model that helps students discover purpose, providing an urgent, actionable vision for modern education reform.