I am writing to express immense frustration with the citizens of Regional School Unit 16 who did not take action to support the recent school budget referendum. I hoped that, as a community, we all wanted better for our children. An atmosphere of negativity and apathy are apparent, and our children are suffering the consequences.

Those who believed the misconstrued facts and twisted questions that have been posed and published recently, and did not take time to become educated on the matters at hand should be ashamed. Negativity is not part of a solution, but the root of a bigger problem. Misconceptions are crippling our educational systems and communities.

Furthermore, I am deeply saddened by the resounding atmosphere of apathy in my community. There were only a few more than 1,100 votes cast in three communities.

How can people say that their children are a priority if they cannot be bothered to take the few minutes to vote for a better future for them? I encountered several parents on the referendum day who, when asked if they had voted, gave me looks and answers that spoke volumes to their disinterest in children. How sad.

It is clear that we cannot rely on state government to support education. It has yet to fulfill its obligations. And so the task falls upon a community.

People must take the future of the children seriously; be aware of the facts, participate and offer practical solutions that are in the children’s best interest.

Tammy English, Poland

Editor’s note: When her letter was published Sept. 17, Tammy English’s name and town were inadvertently left off.