To the editor:
We are writing this letter for your consideration for inclusion in the Pioneer Times regarding the article “SAD 70 facing tough decisions on facility issues” by Joseph Cyr dated Feb. 4, 2015.
SAD 70 is in a hot mess. A recent facility assessment, costing $23,000 ($8,500 more than budgeted), delivered crushing news to both the district and its taxpayers. SAD 70’s future is looking bleak, and it is time to consider a course of action that is fully informed, fiscally responsible, and above all else unemotional.
With declining school enrollment and mil rates at barely sustainable levels, do we dare think about a bond issue to put before the taxpayers? Have all other bonds been paid to date, and are there any outstanding loans to be paid (e.g. $65,766 to purchase four “burner boosters”)? Is the overall cost worth the expense and the resultant increase in the tax burden? Are there less expensive alternatives, which meet the needs of our children?
We offer the following potential courses of action (COAs) 1) repair both schools 2) repair Mill Pond School and build a new high school 3) repair Mill Pond School, tuition out our high school students to Houlton and close the Hodgdon High School, and 4) incorporate into RSU 29.
The cost to repair both schools, estimated to be between $2,204,350 and $2,515,800, represents an additional cost above and beyond the current annual budget allocation of $2,636,623, a rather significant long-term increase to property owners.
The cost to repair the Mill Pond School and build a new high school, estimated to range from $16.12 to $16.24 million, represents a much higher additional cost above and beyond the current annual budget allocation of $2,636,623, something we do not believe SAD 70 taxpayers could afford.
The cost to repair the Mill Pond School, tuition out high school students to RSU 29 and close Hodgdon High, at this time makes the most fiscal sense and should be seriously considered as the way ahead. The total cost to SAD 70 taxpayers to educate our 141 students exceeds $1,535,824 (failing to include combined school expenses such as special education, staff training, health services, school technology, and assessments), whereas the cost to tuition out our high school students, the cost would be $1,305,096. After speaking with the RSU 29 Superintendent’s Office, it was learned that RSU 29 could support all Hodgdon High School students, accomplished through a negotiated agreement. This COA alone would decrease the current fiscal burden to the taxpayers by over $230,728.
Full incorporation into RSU 29 should be further explored and analyzed to determine if this would be the best option for the future of SAD 70 students and taxpayers; however, is beyond the scope of this letter to provide this detailed analysis.
As Superintendent Richardson said “The SAD 70 school board welcomes input from all community members.” It is time to come together and make some hard decisions – fully informed, fiscally responsible and unemotional.
Keith and Tina Harrington
Linneus
