Dear Editor:

There seems to be a good bit of noise concerning the upcoming vote on the high school ballot initiative and that is what it is, noise—not facts.

While nobody wants higher taxes it is time to face up to some of the facts—an undeniable fact is that the physical condition of the high school is deplorable. Many of the problems are a result of deferred maintenance but that is water under the bridge. If folks vote against the construction of a new high school, they will still be facing increased taxes to take care of at least $26,000,000 of necessary repairs to the current building. A simplified way of looking at it is to invest the $26,000,000 in the building of a new school bringing the “cost” of the new high school down to $34,200,000. Still a big number but our non-resident friends will shoulder a very large percentage of the total cost through their local real estate taxes.

Another noisy area is declining enrollment. The fact is current enrollment at the elementary school is the highest since 2016. This bodes well for future enrollment in the high school. A new, upgraded high school might also help keep students seeking a better learning environment from leaving. And what better incentive to prospective home buyers than to have a safe, secure, up to date school for their children.

The concept of a regional high school has been put forward as the answer to everything. The fact is, that for many practical reasons, other towns don’t want to link with Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor for a regional school. Even if other towns were interested, construction of a regional school would take many years of planning with costs escalating each year.

We should not shortchange the education of our children. Our teachers, the school staff and administrators deserve an environment that is conducive to the education of our young folks. Education is expensive but on Nov. 7 it’s time do what’s right for our students and our communities.

Louise Cowan 

Trevett