As an English teacher in Skowhegan-based Regional School Unit 54 for the past 20 years I have had to teach many lessons. Whether the topic has been distinguishing an adjective from an adverb or discussing the nuances of Robert Frost’s decision in “The Road Not Taken,” I have always taken my charge very seriously.

As voters we are at a defining moment. Like Frost, we are confronted by two paths; our children and future generations of children will either suffer or benefit based on the road we choose.

By choosing to support Question 2 in November, we will — for the first time — allow the state to keep its legislative promise to provide 55 percent of education funding.

In my many years in RSU 54 I have witnessed the devastating local impact of the failure to meet this 55 percent threshold. I have seen a thriving elementary school in Cornville closed. I have seen a dramatic reduction in the number of teachers — my own department has dwindled from 12 to seven. I have seen programs, especially the “extras” like art, music, home economics and physical education, scaled back so that students now have fewer enrichment opportunities than in years’ past.

Now is the time to teach our students the valuable lesson of keeping a promise. Honoring this promise will, to paraphrase Robert Frost, make all the difference.

Jeremy Lehan

Bangor