SACO — Regional School Unit 23, covering Saco, Dayton and Old Orchard Beach, will continue its current practice of advertising, which is for informational purposes only, according to the chairman.
At Tuesday night’s RSU board meeting at Saco City Hall, RSU board member Kevin Lafortune requested a discussion on advertising, and said he thought the board needed to have a position on the matter. Lafortune said he thought all advertising needed to go through the board before being purchased.
“I think I have to disagree with you,” said RSU Board Chairman Gary Curtis.
Curtis said the board shouldn’t be advertising a political statement, but the superintendent and staff were wise enough to come up with educational material that fit the nuances of the law.
“I think it’s very hard to come up with a board policy on this when all votes will be 4-3 or 3-4,” he said.
Curtis said when board members write letters to the editor or are interviewed, they need to make it clear when they are stating their personal opinion, and not that of the board.
RSU board member Roland “Ron” Michaud said providing information to the public is one of the roles of the RSU board, however, “interpreting data is another matter.”
Michaud referenced a letter by Superintendent Patrick Philips that the board, as a body, would not be for or against any efforts by communities to withdraw from the RSU.
Curtis said the board should direct the superintendent to use good judgment, as he has in the past, and any advertising would be informational.
Lafortune said that advertisements, such as those to pass the budget, were “squarely in one direction” and were meant to influence voters.
“It has to go through the government, which is this board,” said Lafortune, and he thought the board needed to review all material that would be used in advertisements.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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