After reading the article on the proposed school budget (March 5), there are several issues that I feel need to be clarified.
1) Are the 32 positions the superintendent wants to add going to be filled immediately, or in anticipation of the proposed new school?
2) If they are to be filled now, how is space going to be available to house those new individuals?
3) If adding those special ed programs can save about $30,000 per student, why not use those savings to fund the new positions?
According to Superintendent Bill Webster, the schools are currently overcrowded and the city needs a new, large elementary school to not only replace Martel and Longley schools, but to also address overcrowding — which will mean redistricting.
So, is the requested increase in this year’s budget just a way of minimizing the future increases that will be necessary to facilitate the 900-plus students at the proposed new school?
If not, what will the next school budget be like when teachers, education technicians, an increase in transportation costs, etc., will be necessary for the new school? Another 6.1 percent increase or more?
And, what if Lewiston doesn’t receive as much in state aid? How can Lewiston taxpayers continue to absorb those increases?
I realize this may not be the final budget, but the citizens of Lewiston deserve answers to these questions and more before they are expected to accept any increase in the school budget.
Jacqueline Smith, Lewiston
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