Voters in Regional School Unit 21 are facing a huge decision this month, of whether or not to approve $75 million worth of renovations to three of the district’s schools.
Many of the upgrades are indisputably necessary, from the correction of the sinking building wings at Mildred L. Day School to the installation of new plumbing and heating systems at Kennebunk High School and making Consolidated School handicapped-accessible.
Several of the proposed improvements are not necessary, however, and have inflated the cost of this project to a level that we believe is unacceptable for the taxpayers of this district.
Contrary to popular belief, not everyone in Kennebunk or Kennebunkport is rich, and those who live in more rural Arundel aren’t either. At $75 million, this three-school plan will raise taxes significantly: Broken down by town according to the district’s cost-sharing formula, Kennebunk residents would see an increase of or $166 per year per $100,000 of assessed property value at current valuations; Kennebunkport an extra $146 per year; and Arundel $162 per year. Keeping in mind that most homeowners have properties worth closer to $200,000 or more, this plan would increase taxes by more than $300 per year ”“ that’s over and above what people are already paying ”“ for a 20-year period. The district website, rsu21.net, offers a calculator for each property owner to see their particular increase.
Everyone wants the best for their children, and for the community’s children as a whole, but it has to be within reason. Balancing the needs of the district with the taxpayers’ ability to pay is always a difficult thing to do, and those who have plenty of disposable income can easily forget what a significant impact an extra $300 per year can have on someone who is operating on a tight budget or struggling to get by.
It should be no question for residents to support pressing needs in the schools, as those buildings are an investment in their children and their community’s reputation overall.
The issue with the proposed plan, however, is the considerable number of “wants” that are included. The high school proposal is the culprit here, coming in at nearly $54 million of the total cost; a stand-alone performing arts facility, artificial turf fields and an expanded, publicly accessible library at the high school are likely to be rejected by frugal voters as extravagant extras.
Consolidated School’s insulation, lighting, heating and electrical system upgrades will all help conserve energy in the long run, but voters might be less likely to agree with a rebuilt gymnasium and new music room there. And at M.L. Day, an entirely new floor plan for the school is proposed, which will increase classroom size and create a full-sized gymnasium and a new multi-purpose room. For these two schools, we understand that it makes sense financially to have a contractor on site at each school only once and make all necessary improvements at that time. And the plans here are not over-the-top; they address maintenance upgrades, security and functionality ”“ not only for the students, but for their respective communities.
It’s the high school proposal that needs to be scaled back if the RSU wants to see any of these improvements move forward. The vote is Jan. 21, and while we support the school district’s effort to improve these facilities for students, we can’t support such a large tax expenditure all at once for projects that go well beyond the district’s most pressing needs.
It’s worth noting that the district has placed this vote in January, when the many seasonal residents who claim RSU 21 towns as home will be far away. The renovations discussions have been in the works for several years now, and it’s unclear why the vote has to be held now. True, notices were sent out ”“ and Kennebunk even included absentee ballots in its mailing ”“ but those residents are not here to participate in the discussions and attend the public hearings, let alone vote in person. Whatever the district’s motive to hold the vote now, the perception is what matters, and that is that only year-round residents who are comfortable traveling in the winter ”“ read “young and middle-aged people with children in the schools” ”“ are desired at the ballot box so this proposal passes.
The decision to hold the vote in late January is not going to help the district garner public trust and support. A decision with this hefty of a financial and societal impact should be made when everyone is in town and travel conditions are not threatened by weather.
With that in mind, and the considerable price tag of too many “wishlist” items, RSU 21 voters should reject this proposal so officials can go back to the drawing board and pare it down to a level that is affordable, for a new vote when more residents are able to get to the polls.
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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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