When it comes to consolidating the RSU 73 school system, the superintendent and school board need to wake up to the reality that they have spent more than three years continually hitting the “snooze button.”

RSU 73 is the last district in the state of Maine to negotiate a new contract for all of its staff. Currently, there are staff and teachers working in the same buildings under different, combined contracts; some under RSU 36, some under Jay and some under a combination of the two.

Livermore elementary teachers are working more hours than their Jay counterparts, for less pay. Working side-by-side with people who have different working conditions is confusing, frustrating and simply inexcusable.

The RSU 73 Education Association has been working to negotiate a contract for more than two years. Teachers from the former SAD 36 have been working without a contract or raise in pay for more than three years, while Jay teachers have been working without a contract or raise for almost two.

Consolidation began three years ago. The alarm has been sounding for more than two years, so why is it taking so long to ensure fair and equal working conditions for everyone?

RSU 73 hears the alarms but continuously resets the clock in an effort to stay in its bed of denial. In reality, we are no further along than we were three years ago.

They need to wake up and realize it is well past time for a contract for RSU 73.

Kymberli Bryant, Livermore