To the editor:
I’m writing to voice my support for the upcoming RSU 29 school budget vote and to express my dismay that the school budget did not pass at the last budget vote on July 15. I am a resident taxpayer of Houlton the last nine years; I am a parent of a fifth-grade student at Southside School; I am employed by RSU 29 as a fourth-grade language arts teacher.
The school budget that we will be voting on today does not include any extra funding, only the minimum funding necessary to receive our share of state money under the Department of Education’s Essential Service Program (ESP). As a taxpayer, I cannot fathom why we would refuse to raise the required funds necessary to receive our funding from the state. It makes no fiscal sense. Are we saying that we don’t need or want funding from the state?
Funding for essential services is just that, the money needed to keep our schools operating. As a parent, I believe that our schools provide many high-quality educational opportunities both curricular and extracurricular, for not just my child, but for students of all ages. And we do this despite the fact we spend less per student on education than all but a handful of school districts in the state. This bears testimony to the dedication of all of the employees of RSU 29; custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria services staff, tech staff, secretaries, librarians, nurses, guidance counselors, ed techs, teachers and administrators; each and every person who helps make our school run. We are not spendthrifts. We pay taxes too.
I know that emotions are charged for the budget vote today. The closure of Wellington School has left many voters with a heartache. Schools tend to become the center of our communities and I believe that neighborhood schools epitomize such community and do it with ease. The subsequent transfer of students and staff to other schools within the district has added more fuel to the fire. Teachers have worked hard to be ready for students. I know that parents are nervous. Students are nervous and excited. I am, too.
However, emotions should not rule the day. Common sense and logic must. Every time we hold a budget vote it costs us, the taxpayers, between $5,000 and $6,000. We will have spent as much as $18,000 today trying to pass a budget. This is money lost to our schools and our pockets as taxpayers. It’s our town, our neighbors, our schools, our children. We are all in this together. School is starting. The Houlton community begins its back-to-school routines, budget passed or no budget passed.
In the end, schools exist because we believe that public education is the best way to ensure our existence as a town, state or nation. They produce students who treat us to their athletic prowess, students who bring music, dance and theater for our ears and eyes. They produce students who bring the sparkle of youth into nursing homes or pick up litter to keep the community clean. Today I ask you to join me in voting to pass the RSU 29 school budget.
Edmund Chernesky
Houlton
