As a parent of two students in Regional School Unit 16, as well as a School Committee member, I am saddened at the way this budget season has unfolded, the latest event being the initial refusal of the Poland Board of Selectmen to sign the warrant to send to voters.

I understand that legally, this signing must be done. This type of communication between elected town representatives is destructive to the process. The members of that board have been welcome at meetings to voice their opinions on the budget. The School Committee held three meetings prior to releasing the first budget and have had three since, making further budget cuts.

It is not up to them to decide what to present to voters.

The recommended budget is $1.4 million less than three years ago. We have cut 74 positions, and combined the middle schools through the consolidation process.

As a taxpayer, I am concerned with increasing taxes; however, the children face competition to get into good colleges and the economy will never recover without these kids going into the world well-prepared.

We all owe them that.

Terri Arsenault, Mechanic Falls