In their initial reasons citing the need for a business manager, members of the RSU 16 School Committee stated in a press release, “The Board found that our Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent are spending a considerable amount of time completing paperwork such as liability reports and Family Medical Leave requests and addressing increasing facility needs …”

In a Sun Journal guest column (July 22), RSU 16 School Committee member Mary Ella Jones said, “Having a business manager will result in efficiency savings and increased revenues, such as grants. It will also allow our current administrators to concentrate on our students instead of crunching numbers.”

Now which argument is the public supposed to accept as the valid explanation to expend an additional $85,000 for another administrative staff position? Lessen the paperwork load, or “crunch numbers” for the superintendent and assistant superintendent, who, in their job qualifications, are supposed to do just that, as well provide educational integrity to RSU students?

The RSU School Committee has never given a clarified justification or blueprint on the need of the business manager position and how it would benefit RSU 16, except easing the workload for other administrative staff members.

Until the position of the business manager is made clear to residents, the matter should be tabled for later discussion.

Eriks Petersons, Mechanic Falls