I believe Gov. John Baldacci has ignored the referendum to pay the 55 percent share of education, which has shifted the difference as an additional burden to property owners whose property is taxed at market value, instead of current use. This has ensured that many cannot afford to buy their own homes again.

Consolidation of schools into mega-districts won’t change this method of state evaluation.

Several towns would like to withdraw from their districts, if they weren’t obliged to pay their share of a district’s indebtedness. Mega-districts, I believe, would never be free of indebtedness. The arrogance of those wanting to force a mandate on districts, if a certain number of students aren’t available, is shameful.

One-man, one-vote should not apply to school districts. Often, smaller towns are needed to form a district. It is saying that now we have your money, you get little or no representation.

The average town or city pays the most of its taxes for the schools, much of which goes to teachers’ salaries.

School buses, on average, get little better than six miles per gallon. Sport conferences should be drawn in closer, to save money on fuel. Change the distance to be traveled between mega-district games.

Gary Hutchinson, Carthage