I am writing as a concerned Auburn taxpayer to inform other Auburn taxpayers of Auburn’s crisis situation regarding Edward Little High School. EL is in deplorable condition, with its accreditation at risk.

Auburn students deserve a quality education and the current physical plant makes that more difficult to receive.

The crux of the problem is Auburn’s unfairly low placement on the state’s school funding list and the penny-wise, pound-foolish, even bullying attitude of Gov. Paul LePage, who will not even approve and release funding of voter-approved statewide bond issues that will provide necessary improvements to Maine’s infrastructure.

I have lobbied Auburn’s Republican legislative delegation to request affirmative action, yet nothing has been resolved in the past two years.

I feel that a message needs to be sent to Augusta from Auburn — a clean slate of legislators who pledge to support the proper placement of Auburn on the Department of Education school funding list would make the governor realize that Auburn citizens are serious about education.

If people do not elect legislators who will pledge to support Auburn’s efforts, Auburn residents can expect to see a surtax of approximately $60 per year (for a home evaluated at $100,000), on top of the property tax, for the life of the bond that will have to be issued to pay for school improvements.

I feel that the wiser choice for Auburn voters would be to elect legislators who would strive to secure the state education subsidy that Auburn rightfully deserves.

Bob Mennealy, Auburn

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