This is in response to Robert McDonald (April 24), who criticized my comments at a recent Auburn school forum.

I did not say my wife and I were advised by a “majority of the Bates College faculty and staff” against moving here because of failing schools. I said most people we spoke with about where to settle recommended southern Maine, because of the quality of their school systems compared to Lewiston-Auburn.

I have no problems with Lewiston-Auburn schools. My children are receiving a first-rate education from teachers and administrators who are not being given the resources they need to do their jobs.

This is what concerns me and why I spoke out.

As for Bates and its relation to local schools, a majority of Bates employees are L-A residents, and most of their children attend local public schools. Bates has been an enthusiastic partner to public schools for more than 30 years.

The Harward Center at Bates supports intensive mentoring and literacy projects at Longley, Montello, the Hillview Afterschool Program and the Trinity Jubilee Center Afterschool Program. Half of the Bates students who undertake community partnership work through their academic curriculum.

In the fall and winter terms, roughly 170 Bates students completed at least 30 hours of service learning in the L-A schools. Through those students alone, that is 5,100 student service hours. This is a two-way street: Bates learns so much from L-A and cherishes its relationship with our twin cities.

Does that sound elitist at all?

David Chirayath, Lewiston