School should allow a revote
Dear Editor:
Bruce MacDonald’s complaint in this paper inadvertently made it plain why the matter of revoting the $30M elementary-middle school building remains in the courts. Mr. MacDonald, writing as a member of the school committee, misrepresents the reasons for the appeal and even the size and makeup of the group that is behind it: petitioners asking for a revote number over 400.
If the school boards and their representatives wish to advance the interests of the students and the community in which they live they should consider why 1266 “no” voters in November might object to being overruled by 859 “yes” voters in a strategically timed mid-week, single-issue referendum, just five months later. They should also consider why, given a 26% percent increase in Boothbay taxes ahead of any building expenses, voters might want independent and reliable analysis; not unsupported data thrown at a wall by a superintendent whose job may be on the line if other options are considered.
The school board should allow the revote, reject outside special influences and their money, and build consensus with independent fact finding and open debate. That is how communities come together and solve problems.
Tom Myette
Southport/Boothbay Harbor