It’s school budget time of year again. There are some facts people should be made aware of before they vote.

First, I’d like to go back to the time when the state propagandized that “the profits from the Maine lottery would go into paying for education.”

Of course, it passed. I’d be interested just how much of the lottery dollars still go into education.

I’d also like to see it mandated that the proceeds always be used for K-12 to help lower property taxes, allotted as a certain amount per student no matter where they live.

Let’s see this lottery money (and any casino money) stay where we vote for it to stay!

What about insurance?

SAD 58 is paying health insurance for employees on top of their salaries, salaries that are 3 to 10 times my senior income. Out of less than $600 per month, Medicare of almost $60 is taken out, but that pays the tip of the iceberg.

One must take out supplemental health insurance, too, or you and your kids will be in debt forever. My supplemental is $104.25 a month right now, but it doesn’t cover all charges.

Then you’re got prescription medicine constantly going up.

My idea is to give each employee so much per year. Let them buy their own insurance like I have to do.

If costs are not curtailed and the state does not give back our “lottery profits,” then towns could have a lot more tax-acquired properties on the books!

Marylyn R. Bachelder, Avon