After following Waterville’s contentious budget season, it appears that the schools are being properly funded. The 1996-97 school budget was $11.1 million. When compared to the 2015-16 school budget of $21.2 million, the budget has almost doubled. Once you adjust for inflation by using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) calculator, $16.6 million would be equivalent to the school’s 1997 budget, but we’re spending $21.2 million.

The CPI reveals we are spending $4.5 million more per year, in today’s dollars, then we did in 1997. This equates to a 27.3 percent inflationary-adjusted increase in the school budget, during a time when our student enrollment has decreased by about 464 students. In addition, household incomes have decreased by about 5 percent during the same period, per U.S. Census.

Why weren’t these statistics presented at the school’s educational forum, sponsored by the school board and superintendent? Why is the school spreading misinformation and sending fuzzy statistics to the Department of Education to lower per pupil cost, while dividing the community by accusing residents with differing viewpoints as being anti-school?

I have not heard one of my neighbors or Waterville co-workers that does not support our schools very strongly, but we all realize these budgetary increases are not sustainable. We can’t continue spending beyond the means of the city’s residents.

I encourage all Waterville residents to pay close attention and to contact your councilor and insist they get their spending under control, no more tax increases.

Bob Hussey

Waterville

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