Dear Editor:

The referendum for the Elementary/Middle School on April 24 is one of the most important elections for our communities in recent years. I believe that repairing and maintaining our elementary and middle school is critical for the future of our region because without the schools we lose one of the best incentives for young families to live here, and we will need young families here for this community to prosper in the future. I know this work will likely mean a rise in property taxes, but I also know there will be donations and grants to help offset that rise. Besides, we don't really have a choice if we want to see our community prosper.

There has been much made recently about what the cost for this work should be, both in ads and letters in this newspaper and online. In my view much of the negativism is coming from people and groups who are not part of the school system. The people who know what needs to be done are those who deal with these issues on a daily basis, along with the school board and building committee who are listening to the administration and the teachers. We need to trust the people we have responsible for maintaining our schools. If you have questions, there are several town meetings and community sessions with the school administrators and I urge you to attend them and get answers.

I am a resident of Southport so I will not be able to vote on this, but I do own property in Boothbay Harbor and pay taxes so the outcome will affect me and my family in the future. I urge you as voters to vote YES in this referendum to support our schools.

Michael McBride

Southport