Other than winning the lottery or inheriting a fortune from a rich relative, a good education is the only road to success. Unfortunately for Lewiston taxpayers, their contribution (under the label of local property taxes) of $98.8 million will not likely meet their expectations.

With a graduation rate of 73%, well under the state average of 85%, poor scores in math and reading and two years of very limited classroom instruction, how will students be placed in the proper grade? Will they be assigned to a grade by biological age or intellect?

Portland sends us its overflow of refugees who speak limited or no English. We have 200-plus homeless students enrolled in our schools. While Auburn builds middle class housing, Lewiston is building housing projects. Many of our downtown children reside in homes where education has no ranking.

Then there is the teacher shortage. I wonder why that is. Could it be because they have lost control of their classrooms? This because of no support by their superiors? How about threats of both bodily harm or lawsuits against the teachers by students and parents?

It’s time for our local state legislators to quit warming their legislative seats in Augusta and introduce legislation to protect our students and teachers and also ensure all pupils get a proper education.

Robert Macdonald, Lewiston

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