Citizens for Common Sense Education is a local citizen group working for changes in RSU 9 schools that will result in the best education for students while, at the same time, keep school operation costs within the financial capabilities of the 10 towns that comprise the school district.

One aim is to stop unnecessary spending, especially in areas that have no impact on students’ education, such as maintenance, transportation, administration, committee pay, certain extra-curricular activities, etc.

CCSE has deep concerns about the limited achievement seen in too many RSU 9 students. That has been brought to our group’s attention frequently by concerned parents, grandparents, business owners, teachers and the students themselves.

CCSE membership has grown since it was stated two years ago by a handful of people. The group’s success became evident when the school budgets were voted down in the first referendum votes in both 2015 and 2016. Those budget defeats were due to citizens’ strong objections to high property taxes relative to high school budgets.

CCSE recently sent a letter to Dr. Thomas Ward, superintendent of RSU 9, and to all the school board members expressing concerns over the upcoming labor contract negotiations. School employee salaries, benefits and stipends are determined and finalized outside of the community budget approval process and CCSE feels that is unfair to the community.

CCSE will continue working for positive changes at RSU 9, with the goals of improving student test scores along with a more efficiently operated school district.

Robert Millay, Farmington