To me, the [Nov. 5] vote tally for the high school renovation bond was no cause for a big celebration. Durham and Pownal residents continue to vote overwhelmingly against the RSU’s initiatives and many people in those towns feel like they are being steamrolled by Freeport voters.
What really got my attention when I was trying to weigh the notion of withdrawal was this: Prior to consolidation, about 55-60 percent (depending on the year) of Durham’s school budget was paid for by the state. As their land becomes more valuable over time, this state contribution number shrinks. And their taxes continue to go up; not because of the RSU, but because of a declining share of state funding. And as their taxes rise, it creates a brutal political environment for those of us who want to build a high-performing, competitive school system for our children. RSU bond and budget votes of the past several years reflect this reality very starkly. And the dynamic is not getting better. It is getting worse.
As a town, we need to recognize that the current RSU system is not serving the best interests of our children. Freeport families are feeling held back, and Durham and Pownal voters have clearly stated they are not on board with Freeport’s vision for our schools. I am very concerned that if we do not exit the RSU now, there is no turning back. After Jan. 1, 2015, Maine towns will need a two-thirds majority vote to withdraw. After that date, Durham, Freeport and Pownal will be bound into a forced marriage that no one wanted. It really is now or never.
Is withdrawal going to be easy? It is hard to say, but it is worth noting that several towns across Maine have successfully exited their RSUs. There is no reason why Freeport can’t either.
Is it going to be cheaper for Freeport to stand alone? It is too early to say. The substantive answer to that question will be the responsibility of a withdrawal committee, which would be formed if the Dec. 17 vote is successful.
But if you really start to think about the numbers, please also consider this: At what price is it worth it to have a dysfunctional governance structure for our children’s education? At what price is it worth it to say, sorry Durham and Pownal, we know you don’t want X,Y or Z, but Freeport does, so here’s the bill anyhow. That is not progress. That is not cooperation. It is a recipe for a decade or more of conflict and tension between three towns that, before consolidation, got along wonderfully.
Eric Horne
Freeport
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