Former selectman recalls the founding of Oakmont

To the Editor:

On February 26, 1958, 50 years ago, a major change in the Ashburnham education system occurred as the Town voted the approval of the formation of the Oakmont Regional School District. The following is some of the history as to how the event occurred:

Cushing Academy came to the town to terminate an agreement to educate a specified number of Ashburnham students which had been in place for a number of years. Fitchburg and Gardner had been taking other Ashburnham and Westminster students but they were getting overcrowded with their own students. The state was giving incentives to have regional schools established. The town officials prepared an article recommending a region with the Town of Westminster.

On August 14, 1957, a special town meeting was held to vote on the establishment of a regional school district with the Town of Westminster, and the construction, maintenance and operation of a regional school. The town voted in favor with Yes 234; No 230.

This meeting and vote was challenged by a group of citizen, opposing the establishment of a regional school district, by issuing a Bill of Complaint thru the Superior Court which delayed the formation of the district. A stipulation, agreed to by all parties, was a restraining order holding any further action as voted on August 14, 1957. In order to proceed with the formation of the district, a bill was filed in the State Legislature to allow a special town meeting to validate the August 14, 1957 vote.

From the Selectmen¿s Report in the 1958 Ashburnham Town Report:

"Regional School District: Early in the year the State Legislature enacted Chapter 57 of the acts of 1958. The effect of this act was to validate the Regional School District with the Town of Westminster. Before it became effective, however, its acceptance by the voters of Ashburnham was required. A Special Town Meeting, held at Cushing Academy on February 26, 1958, the voters accepted this Act and the Regional School District became immediately effective."

After much bitter discussion within the town, including the legal battle, the Special Meeting put an end to any further conflict as the vote on February 26, 1958, was Yes 521; No 211. The opposition received fewer votes during the validation meeting on the now named Oakmont Regional School District.

Looking back it appears the Oakmont Regional School District has worked out well for both towns. The cost of trying to have their own high schools would have bankrupt each town.

Richard A. Baker,

Rindge, N.H. Ashburnham Selectman 1955-1958