I am writing because it is that time of year again – budget time that is.
The chatter in the background appears to be that the City Council is again directing the school department to make cuts in the proposed budget for next year. I have reviewed and downloaded the most recent copy of the proposed school budget and see few areas for compromise. The largest line-item increase is in the area of regular salaries, with the largest going to teachers.
Our state ranks at the bottom in average salaries for teachers. In the 2001-02 state rankings, we were number 38 and within our New England region, we ranked last behind Vermont. The average salary for a Maine teacher in the 2001-02 school year was $37,300 versus the highest state in the region, Connecticut, averaging $52,376. We need to compensate our teachers accordingly, and the City Council should support this by commending the school board and school department for their work.
I urge this council and the community as a whole to support this budget as written. In order to continue building a strong and vital community, we need to continue to improve and support our local school system. It is not only structures that support our students but the teachers who help to build strong children and, in the end, a strong community.
Cathy Wilson, Auburn
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