In the November election, the majority voted against the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. But the school board in Jay is proposing a much worse scenario for the school system than TABOR would have created. Members have asked the school administrators to come up with a plan to cut next year’s budget by $600,000 to $800,000.

Are the schools spending money unnecessarily? Are they wasting taxpayer dollars? I doubt it.

Schools made some cuts in staff last year. At the high school, the physics teacher position was left unfilled. This resulted in the remaining science instructors having to teach some of the physics classes. I also understand that the upper level physics students are taught at Livermore Falls High School because there are no experienced physics teachers at Jay.

That is only the beginning of students being denied a quality education, if the school board is allowed to make these cuts. I lived in Jay for five years and was aware of the outstanding school system.

I doubt that will be the case in the future.

If the cut goes through, only a reduction in staff and programs will supply the necessary dollars. That means a greater number of students in each class, fewer course offerings, and the possible elimination of athletics and extra- curricular activities.

It is the town’s responsibility to provide quality education for all young people. Elected officials need to get the word that their requested decrease in the school budget is unacceptable.

Ted Sirois, Wilton