At a recent RSU 21 meeting, I had the painful experience of listening to a report that was commissioned by the RSU 21 board to identify the present state of the facilities in the six schools of the district.

My disappointment regarding the quality of the work soon turned to disgust when it became very obvious that the company hired by RSU 21 and recommended by the Maine Department of Education was there to promote the position of the MDOE not provide the RSU with good information.

The department’s goal was to reduce their obligations to the RSU even if it was at the expense of the community vote to form the RSU.

Knowing there were issues during the formation of the school district that could have really pitted one community against the other, the consultant and the department disregarded the sanctity of the vote and attempted to divide and conquer.

The democratic process is at risk. We as three  communities worked, compromised, collaborated and came to a consensus that we all would work together to provide a quality education for our communities. We should all be insulted and, yes, outraged that the Maine Department of Education sent their shill to do their dirty work.

Please don’t buy into the MDOE strategy to reduce their obligations at our expense. We voted and made our choice and should not tolerate continuous interference by the Maine Department of Education and their cohorts.

Dana Peck

Arundel