The Sun Journal article of June 14 about passage of the increased RSU 10 budget cites Superintendent Tom Ward’s sympathies for “the area’s financial doldrums.”
How unfortunate that Ward did not concern himself with having excess buildings when, in 2008, he urged the formation of RSU 10.
He was aware, at that time, that the district to be formed from SADs 43, 21 and 39 had three high schools, but just over 3,000 students. He was also aware that the student enrollment of the districts was declining.
It should not be a surprise to him that the region likely supports an excess of school buildings. But are the buildings alone the culprit in the rising costs of education in RSU 10?
RSU 10, with just under 2,800 students now and 10 buildings, has just passed a budget of $35.1 million. Neighboring SAD 17, with 3,400 students and at least 10 buildings, has just passed a $35.1 million budget. Something is wrong with the math.
Perhaps the dissolution of RSU 10 would actually reduce costs for all the previous districts. Certainly, the former towns of SAD 39 — Buckfield, Hartford and Sumner — should seriously explore the option of standing alone.
Judith Berg, Buckfield
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