I thank former superintendent Robert Connors for his years of service to the school children of this community. His experience certainly paid off once again last month when he recognized the value of neighborhood schools.

Even I used to question the merit of neighborhood schools until it was explained to me by a veteran member of the planning board.

In this day and age, when children are bounced around from parent to parent, program to program, and school to school, a little consistency goes a long way. Neighborhood schools existed in an urban setting here in Lewiston for more than a century and produced some of the finest and most outstanding community leaders that could be hoped for.

We should not abandon what has worked in exchange for a dose of social engineering. If it takes a village to raise a child, a neighborhood is even more important in the understanding of the development of that child.

Connors exemplifies what true community service means. Not only by doing what is best for the children, but by representing the overwhelming views of the parents of Lewiston.

Michael Marcotte, Lewiston