As Oak Hill CSD board chairman, I’m compelled to respond to Joline Loesberg (May 20). On May 8, voters at Oak Hill’s town meeting did reduce $332,991 from the additional local funds request of $1,482,991.

Her other figures were incorrect. Oak Hill High School’s budget, including adult and continuing education, is $5,481,489. The board’s proposal is for 2007-2008 is $6,076,753, an $595,264 increase, or 10.86 percent, not 22 percent.

In the past, CSD towns funded high school student transportation locally. The state, however, said this must be paid through the CSD budget.

Transportation is budgeted at $337,693. This amount was reduced from each town’s revenue requirements – a cost shift from one budget to another, with no impact on taxes.

When last year’s and the proposed budgets are compared, less adult and continuing education and transportation, the increase is only $251,368. Voters should look at the whole budget, not the misleading bottom line.

I take exception with Loesberg’s implication the board called a special meeting May 9 to reconsider the budget. The board meets the second Wednesday of every month; May 9 was the second Wednesday in May.

On May 8, residents from all towns appeared. I’m sure those voting for the revised budget, and those voting against, were from more than Sabattus.

A special town meeting is May 23, at 7 p.m. at Oak Hill High School for a reconsideration vote. I encourage all residents to attend.

Robert E. English, Wales

Chairman, Oak Hill CSD School Board