I voted “no” on Lewiston’s school budget; here’s why.

I value education — perhaps even more than those elected to provide guidance and plan for the future. I know that a solid education system will bring with it working families who buy homes, who invest in our community and who make us a better place. I also see the economic plight of Lewiston in its current form as one that attracts social service nonprofits and those who benefit from it, but little more.

What I do not see — educational outcome improvements. Our testing levels at various grades indicate that 1 in 3 students is not reading or doing math at a level for their age. Our graduation rate, which includes allowing for a fifth year of high school, remains around 67%. Many teachers became “coaches” resulting in hiring less qualified individuals to teach.

I have grown tired of excuses made — “more money” (clearly hasn’t helped), “it’s our non-English speaking and/or special ed who test poorly” (except the federal government requires accommodations be made for those learning shortfalls), and my favorite, “lead paint,” which while true remains a problem despite years of federal funding, but where a majority of the funds goes into anything but actual remediation of the problem.

We can do better, and any true economic development in this community will first require better educational outcomes. That requires a school system not accepting the status quo, parents who become involved and children who are respectful of others.

Until then, my vote remains “no.”

Robert Reed, Lewiston