Thank you for publishing “Choosing Carefully” in the Oct. 24 Lakes Region Weekly. While the majority of the information presented on high school choice in Raymond was accurate there was a mistake in this, like many articles/editorials on this subject. This is not surprising, as even members of the Raymond School Board and Consolidation Committee seem confused on the finances of high school choice in Raymond.
Contrary to the article, the town of Raymond has not paid the full tuition for students to go to the high school of their choice. Rather, Raymond pays that particular school whatever the current state-approved tuition rate is and the family must pay the rest (an additional $15,000 or so for Hebron or North Yarmouth Academy).
The amount paid by Raymond taxpayers has ranged from slightly higher than the contracted rate for Windham High School for some high schools but now Raymond voters have voted to cap the tuition to any school at the Windham contracted rate (about $ 7,300 last year). Therefore, it should not cost Raymond taxpayers any more if our students choose a different high school than Windham.
Raymond High School choice is not a factor in the decision for our schools to consolidate. Voters in Raymond and voters in Windham will make this decision on Nov. 4 – regardless of whether Raymond voters vote to continue with our policy of high school choice.
Currently, about 60 percent of high school students from Raymond attend Windham High School. Windham High School is an excellent high school and a great choice for many students in Raymond. This amount will likely not change unless Raymond students can no longer apply the tuition monies to other public or private high schools.
At a recent consolidation meeting I asked the question of cost to the taxpayers for maintaining school choice in Raymond versus eliminating this option. I received two drastically opposite opinions by two different committee members. On further discussion it became clear that it was “a wash.” Requests have been made for posting the financials of the two scenarios on the town Web site.
Additional information from this meeting revealed that Raymond students represent about 20 percent of the combined consolidated K-12 population but Raymond must, by law, pay approximately 40 percent of the costs of the new regional school unit. This is because of our higher property valuation.
Also, a new consolidated school board will govern Raymond Elementary School, Jordan Small Middle School, Windham High School and the other schools in the new school district where we have about 33 percent representation by Raymond School Board members. Thus, we may lose control over Raymond Elementary School and Jordan Small Middle School.
Valid arguments have been made to continue school choice in Raymond. Since our town has no high school it only seems fair to continue to provide choice for those families where a different high school may be a better option. This applies to both public and private high schools.
This option is often the deciding factor for families moving to Raymond, even in the higher priced, higher tax-basis properties. Maintaining high school choice is a way to help ensure that Raymond remains an attractive town to move to and increases the marketability of property in Raymond (especially since this should not cost the taxpayer any more than eliminating high school choice).
Other consolidation plans within the state of Maine maintain high school choice for those towns without their own high school. Unfortunately, because of consolidation, our control of our K-8 education is diminished. What we can control is to continue the high school choice policy that helps make Raymond a more attractive place to live for about 40 percent of our high school students. Raymond voters, even if you feel that Windham High School is the best choice for your family, please vote to maintain choice for those who benefit from a different high school experience.
Ken Smith
Raymond
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