The twice-rejected RSU 16 budget is up for a third try on Sept. 13. There is a district meeting at the Poland Regional High School on Sept. 7.

The budget figure ($17,847,765) is not much lower than the one voted down in June. The only difference is that $100,000 has been taken from the emergency fund to help lower the amount taxpayers will pay. For every $100,000 in property assessment, Mechanic Falls homeowners’ tax bills drop 39 cents; Poland will increase by $9.49; and Minot, an increase of $34.94.

Does that mean Minot’s children will get a better education?

In addition, a new preschool class will be added at more expense (to staff those children).

There is nothing that will improve education, but the budget gives raises to administration.

We are told that federal money will help with the preschool costs and increase the number of free lunches, but the federal government is broke. Taxpayers are paying billions in interest on borrowed money, and officials want to add more, so that the children may be further burdened? Children will have to pay that debt.

In this economy, there are many families who cannot pay their taxes, feed their children and heat their homes, yet school administrators feel they deserve a raise?

Until things turn around economically, let’s go back to the 2010-11 budget; keep the emergency fund for what it was designed; and administrators could go without a raise this year, like the rest of the people. And forget the preschool.

Bernice Fraser, Minot