The MSAD 54 Education Association urges voters to support the school budget proposed by the Board of Directors.

Having attended the majority of school board and committee meetings during the past three budget cycles, I know that board members have worked diligently to minimize the effects of the national financial crisis upon local taxpayers.

The board has made gut-wrenching decisions, most notably deciding to close Cornville Elementary — a high-performing school and a focal point of the community.

The board took advantage of retirements and resignations to reduce staff. At the middle school, for instance, foreign language and industrial arts programs were eliminated, and grades seven and eight now share a technology teacher with the elementary schools.

The high school has faced similar reductions: two English teachers, two science teachers, one mathematics teacher, and one foreign language teacher have been eliminated in recent years.

Elementary positions were cut as a result of the Cornville closure, and this year the board eliminated a music teacher and reduced the work time of an art teacher. In addition, North Elementary no longer will have a full-time principal, just administrative support as needed.

The board has made all of these changes in an effort to ease the tax burden, but cutting more would compromise the education of our children.

The board is asking for a tax increase of 3.55 percent. That means owners of a $100,000 home in Cornville would see a $63 yearly increase in their property tax bill. Similar homeowners in Skowhegan would see a $23 increase.

Can the taxpayers afford an extra $2 to $5 a month to maintain quality schools?

Please join the Education Association in supporting this sensible budget.

Jeremy Lehan, president

MSAD 54 Education Association