To the Editor:

The closure of the Agnes Gray School in West Paris remains a terribly disappointing development for the community. Every community takes pride in its school. That school becomes the heart of the community. Closing it tears at the very fabric of the place. The citizens of West Paris do not plan to go quietly into the night.

Here are a few quotes from articles in the Lewiston Sun Journal: March 9, 2024, “Agnes Gray School scheduled for replacement by 2030…” February 7, “Building Is Closed May Not Reopen” “Is Agnes Gray really done?” October 17, “West Paris, Paris to sue district over Agnes Gray school closing” October 24, “Hope for Agnes Gray dashed as school board declines….” This decision has obviously met with dismay and opposition.

The administration of SAD 17 has been far less than transparent about the process. To begin with, the school was allowed to go years without proper maintenance. Why? Then on a Tuesday in February of this year, the students were abruptly sent elsewhere because they were in a dangerous structure. Fine on Monday. Closed on Tuesday.

The meeting at the Legion Hall in West Paris was well attended by people hoping for a chance to express their concerns. The meeting was well orchestrated to limit citizen input and was basically a layout of a “plan” that had clearly been in the works for a long time. This kind of dismissive attitude by the people in charge of the district’s future is frustrating.

It is my understanding that board members are urged not to speak at board meetings unless they have indicated what they plan to speak about and are called on by the chairman. Why all this careful management of what can be said by whom, both at public meetings and at the board level?

The uproar over this “quick” decision has caused division among the towns. The administration may well succeed in their goal of closing not just Agnes Gray School, but other community schools as well. These closures will affect the lives of people in the outlying towns far more than those living in the larger towns where schools would house all SAD 17 students. SAD 17 can rationalize this disruption of life among the poor country cousins as being a benefit to students. A larger benefit to them would be a chance to learn and play in their own community with children they are growing up with. West Paris, Waterford, Harrison. They may be small towns but there are people who love them and who believe their young people deserve their own schools.

People in the smaller towns do not need to be lectured about their misgivings. Condescension is never a good public communication strategy.

Rodney Abbott

West Paris