Dear Editor:

Why does it cost local taxpayers over $28,000 per student at BRHS while neighboring Lincoln Academy only costs $14,500?

This is one of many questions that should be answered before any vote on the $9.41 million school budget Thursday, May 25 at 6 p.m. in the BRHS gym. There are no absentee ballots permitted, so you must show up in person to vote.

I don’t think there was nearly enough public discussion this spring about ways to reduce that huge increase of 15%, although administrators claim they previously did a great deal of work behind closed doors.

Maybe they just figure it doesn’t matter too much what the general public knows, as it’s only a handful of school-related people who are typically there to vote.

Please show up and participate this year if you are able, whichever way you want to vote. If you don’t vote, then don't complain about higher taxes - unless you are looking in the mirror.

By the way, a no vote just means having to operate within last year’s budget amount. Just like most people are having to do every day around here.

Tom Perkins

Boothbay Harbor