An embedded benefit
Several years ago, there was much discussion about the worthiness of a school resource officer for the Windham High School. Despite protests that the position cost too much money and was too intrusive into high schoolers’ privacy, the Windham Town Council was the last of area schools to hire the schools-focused officer.
Now, all preconceived notions concerning the embedded police officer must subside because this week the effectiveness of a police officer gaining the trust of high school students has been proven. In a big way.
The arrests this week of two Windham youth, who police say orchestrated a well-organized drug trade at the high school involving more than 50 individuals, proves the idea of an embedded police officier works.
School Resource Officer Jeffrey Smith helped bring to justice two 16-year-old boys who will now get their day in court. They are still innocent until proven guilty, but clearly, Smith’s full-time entrenchment at the school has revealed problems, and that alone is worth Windham taxpayers’ money. Truly, if only 5 percent of what we’ve heard about this case is true, there is a major drug problem at Windham High School and it’s now time to uncover and rehabilitate these kids.
Across town, there are many students whose parents are coming to grips with their sons’ and daughters’ experimentation with drugs. The parents of each kid listed on ledgers found by police at the home of the two alleged dealers have been notified and are now coping with this in a very personal way. Obviously, there are many kids who need a helping hand to get them through this time. Here’s hoping the parents discipline their children and teach them a better path.
Here’s also hoping the school uses this drug bust as a way to provide students with even more knowledge about the reality of using drugs. Kids can never get too much information about the danger of drugs. Scare them with hard facts. Sicken them with dramatic images. Do whatever you can to make sure the 50 listed individuals and anyone curious about drugs change their course.
School officials now have a chance to turn this into a long-term positive for both the affected kids and Windham’s reputation. If students can learn from this that there are consequences for actions, even if they are within a month of the end of school, it would be worthwhile ending to the school year.
Hitting the limit
The Windham Town Council’s willingness to spend up to the legal limit allowed by LD-1 is unfortunate.
Windham taxpayers could have saved more than $300,000 in next year’s tax bill but by the end of the council’s final budget deliberation Tuesday night, the $300,000 was gone, never to be seen again.
Who knew local municipalities would treat LD-1 like a roadway speed limit sign? Like drivers who can’t help but go the speed limit despite road or weather conditions, government now has a target figure, set by the state, they can hit without raising the ire of taxpayers. And all around the state, not just here in Windham, municipalities are getting as close to the limit as possible. The economic weather may be tough for those footing the tax bill, but that doesn’t deter local budget setters from pushing the LD-1 limit.
It’s unfortunate that a government that doesn’t need to spend an extra $300,000 will do it anyway because of some well-intentioned limit set by Augusta. LD-1 had good intentions. It set a limit on what municipalities could spend. But it shouln’t be treated like a speed limit. If we can spend under the LD-1 cap we should.
As always should be the case, Windham leaders should concern themselves with what local taxpayers need, not what LD-1 allows.
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