Hopelessness and helplessness — somewhere in between those two feelings was what I sensed at the SAD 52 district budget vote May 1.
There are more than 4,000 residents in Greene, more than 2,000 in Leeds and more than 5,500 in Turner, yet there were only approximately 60 people in attendance to vote on the budget.
The school board decided to eliminate three school volunteer coordinators for a savings of approximately $37,000. A few residents voiced well-thought-out arguments for why that was penny wise but pound foolish. A few members of the board then argued that if that amount were replaced in the budget, they would have to start the budget process all over again.
There was a heavy feeling of guilt in the room, so residents let the board have its way.
The budget validation referendum is May 8. District residents should make their voices heard.
The budget increased by 1.3 percent, meaning property taxes would increase by $67 in Greene, $124 in Leeds, and $55 in Turner for the average homeowner.
District-wide, 14 positions were cut, but no programs. Teachers, because of previous contract negotiations, will get an increase in pay this year.
The past few years have been very difficult for people in Maine. Some people had to buy oil in small quantities last winter; gasoline has gone up in price, along with food and other living expenses.
Heating schoolrooms in the winter to a degree where students wear summer-weight T-shirts is not cost-effective. Making it more difficult for volunteers to be organized isn’t cost-effective, either.
Diane Gendron, Greene
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