Dear Editor:

To Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor voters:

While we attempted to inform the community on what was involved in the April 24 school vote, it seems questions and confusions still remain. Here’s an attempt to clear up a few misconceptions:

1. What were we voting for on April 24th? The vote was for repair of the Elementary School only – not a new Elementary or a new High School. 

2. Why was adding 7th and 8th grade classrooms included in the repair project? We discovered that building the new 7th and 8th classrooms would provide a place for students  of all grades to go while their classrooms were being repaired, instead of purchasing costly temporary modular pods (that would require plumbing, electricity, communication and safety.) When the repairs are complete we would be left with permanent appropriate 7th and 8th grade space at a cost comparable to the temporary units. Additionally, the new 7th and 8th grade space would free much needed space for interventions required today, such as Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapist, Reading and Math support, Social Workers, Psychologist, General Education Specialists and more!

3. Why add a new entrance? Sadly, in this day and age, student safety needs to be a priority and the new entrance would provide just that. The new safer entrance involves improvements for security, both in the bus and parent drop-off areas, and will place the Administrative Office staff so that they can more directly supervise and control entry into the building, at all times.

4. What will it cost you? The tax impacts are provided on the school website.

Abby Jones

Boothbay CSD Board 

and Building Exploratory Committee member