Dear Editor:

In response to recent published letters and a mailer from the Edgecomb Tax Group regarding the school budget, I believe it is important to address both the substance and the way information has been presented to the public.

There is no question that rising taxes are a serious concern. I share that concern, and it has been central to every budget discussion this year. However, advocating for taxpayers also requires presenting information fully and accurately. In this case, that standard has not been met.

As a school board member, and as a data scientist, statistician, and former high school math teacher, I am particularly troubled by how data has been used. When numbers are selectively presented or key context is omitted, it leads to conclusions that do not reflect reality.

A clear example is the repeated “cost per student” claim, which cites 77 students while excluding at least 53 additional Edgecomb students attending grades 7–12. These students are fully funded by the town and are part of our total education obligation. Leaving them out significantly inflates the per-student figure and creates a misleading narrative. Additionally, Edgecomb educates roughly 30 students from neighboring towns, whose tuition helps offset costs and reduces the overall assessment to Edgecomb taxpayers.

This is not a minor oversight, it fundamentally distorts the data.

It is also inaccurate to suggest the budget was not carefully reviewed. The school board conducted a detailed, line-by-line review in open meetings, challenged assumptions, and made reductions where possible to mitigate tax impact.

Reasonable people can disagree on spending. But productive debate depends on a shared commitment to facts. When key context is omitted, it undermines that discussion.

Edgecomb faces a real challenge: balancing tax pressures with our legal and moral obligation to educate our students. Both matter.

After careful consideration, I supported the proposed budget because I believe it reflects a responsible effort to strike that balance.

I encourage residents to engage with the full budget and public process. Our community deserves a conversation grounded in accuracy and good faith.

John Allen

Edgecomb School Board member