By the Journal-Opinion

Rivendell will hold a community forum tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Rivendell Academy in Orford to discuss the district’s future configuration. 

The discussion comes after a committee has spent the last few months reviewing district principles and articles, possible scenarios, legal guidance, and information about voting procedures, according to school board meeting minutes. 

Some scenarios under consideration: 1)combine the district’s two elementary schools — Samuel Morey and Westshire; 2)consolidate Samuel Morey into Rivendell Academy; and 3)tuition out 9-12 students

Rivendell is not alone. As enrollments fall, debate in both New Hampshire and Vermont about the future of education governance, finance, and administration has intensified.  

Then again, Rivendell is unusual. As an interstate school district, it’s not always clear how the four communities — Orford, Fairlee, West Fairlee, and Vershire — fit into broader statewide reforms.

“This aspect of our district makes us a bit of a unicorn,” wrote Superintendent Randy Gawel in a report this month to the school board. “We are special as a result, and also often limited in how we might work with other districts, each state, and within our district itself. This is a boon and potentially a liability for us and needs to always be considered as we make decisions for our students, schools, and communities.”