Dear Editor:

I would to express my gratitude to the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD Trustees, school committee, and school superintendent for their patience at the annual budget meeting.

I had several questions and monopolized much of the brief meeting. They have a very difficult job in operating a school system with declining students, increasing costs, decreasing resources and impatient taxpayers.

As the tax collector, treasurer, and liaison to the selectmen in Boothbay, I hear these questions often. Many people have a very basic understanding of local government, and these questions are never asked. I feel a responsibility to ask these questions to the proper people, in the proper setting, in a respectful and considerate manner. It was also nice to see more voter involvement at this meeting.

Voter participation is not bad and avoiding controversy often means avoiding the real issues. Often elected officials are so close to these issues that it is difficult to envision the voter perspective and residents don't have the time to attend regular school board meetings. The issues I raised are important.

People want to know why the school selectively operates from the charter. People want to know how the school will control spending in the future because the tax forecasts are a little scary. The school budget is nearly $10 million and should be carefully examined because it is the largest local public expenditure.

Especially considering it has grown $750,000 in the last five years and out-paces taxable real estate growth 10:1. I have tremendous confidence that the school leaders can answer these questions in due time. Although these issues are important, patience and organized government are too.

The top priority, in regards to schools, is turning out top quality students like the Class of 2014, and the one I'm personally watching, Class of 2018.

James D. Chaousis II
Boothbay resident and parent of a prospective Class of 2018 graduate