I implore the residents of the Waterville community: Please get involved in your school system. Waterville schools were once academic leaders, but we are slipping behind neighboring districts. Scores on standardized tests are dropping; graduation proficiency rates are dismal, not due only to COVID. Yes, teachers and students are facing unprecedented stress and are working tirelessly, but we can’t let students fall further behind.

Our superintendent told this newspaper he plans to retire this year. Waterville deserves a strong leader to bring us into the next century following best practices and innovative, research-based education. We deserve a national search: a headhunter to canvass the United States for the leader who’ll dream big, and execute, for our children.

Please attend the school board’s open meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7, at Waterville Senior High School to discuss how best to move our district forward. Instead of hiring an assistant superintendent that may replace our retiring superintendent, we should put our money into our students’ education.

A national search using a headhunter for a new superintendent is the best use of our time and resources. We found a great pool of applicants and City Manager Daly this way.

Contact your ward’s representative. Look at proposed budget breakdowns from our last meeting minutes and see where our money is being spent. Ask how our children’s academic and social needs are being met. Every child, regardless of academic standing, deserves an excellent education from proactive leaders who are creative thinkers.

It takes a village to raise a child. Our village has grown complacent.

Amy Murphy
Waterville

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