Editor:

We are writing in response to the recent letters from concerned taxpayers regarding the proposed school budget for MSAD71. In the letters, it was suggested that due to tough economic times, the budget should be further pared down. Some of the suggestions included the closing of a school and future cuts in teachers’ pay and benefits as appropriate solutions. 

Indeed, we feel your pain and dismay over tax issues. We live here too. 

Unfortunately, in addition to experiencing our own personal struggles to meet our financial obligations under a wave of increasing prices for our own food, fuel, and other costs of living, we must, as employees of the town of Kennebunk, endure the scrutiny and, at times, not so subtle remarks about our wages, our medical benefits, and other conditions of our employment when other folks in the working world can maintain some sense of privacy. We do understand our situation. We are proud to serve this town and its wonderful young people, but wouldn’t it be nice, if those same taxpayers who are so quick to suggest that some of their fellow taxpayers do with less and their children do with one less school, could put some of that energy into proposing solutions that would benefit the whole community, students and retirees alike?

Instead of closing a school, why don’t we propose and develop creative uses for unused classroom space that would support and compliment the school’s educational endeavors? Many other communities have made very successful partnerships with other businesses in their area. Instead of citing incorrect information about teachers’ medical insurance, of which the town pays 84 percent, by the way, why not regard our schools and the employees who work in them as an investment in the future maintenance of Kennebunk as beautiful, safe, and peaceful place for us all to live our lives. 

For the past five years, MSAD71 has worked extremely hard to propose budgets that have increased less than 3 percent. In light of all the cost increases, this has meant the loss of many staff positions, decreased classroom budgets, and strict and careful limitations to the maintenance of district properties. This year is no different. The budget is as slim as it should get. Any further cost cutting would seriously inhibit our ability to maintain the quality of the education that we can provide for our students and the results of that is something none of us can afford.

Jean Beaulieu, Mary McCarthy 

(Association President), Susan Ronan

Kennebunk-Kennebunkport

Educational Association