If you’re still on the fence about the School Administrative District 51 budget, I’d like to urge you to vote yes and get behind a long-range plan of sustainability.

Hold the line: June 8 will be the fourth vote to authorize the district to expend the same dollar amount. This amount was approved in 2008, 2009 after a tie vote and now 2010.

Plan for the Future: Next year’s contract negotiation will give the district the chance to further standardize contract language, calendar, student performance, and other factors that might make school consolidation possible.

Support those in need: There are multiple ways that the state, municipality and district are working together to help offset the tax burden of fixed income residents. Getting a tax bill and having to pay it are not the same thing.

Create efficiency: We need to do a better job of using the schools to create value and share with each other across all needs.

Good to great: I believe that the steps the board is taking to create a more sustainable district include ideas that will create opportunity for all of our kids, our parents and our community.

Get involved: Please vote Yes on the school budget and then get involved in projects that will create a more sustainable community.

Tom Shepard, treasurer
Maine Farm Enterprise School
Cumberland