The vote by the RSU 10 School Board to discontinue funding of the accreditation process for its three high schools (Sun Journal, Feb. 11) seems a brilliant example of the old saying, “Penny wise, pound foolish.”

Saving the $22,000 to start the process next year at Buckfield High School is relatively insignificant in light of the $36.5 million budget for the district. Yet, the attention the expenditure has received at the board level puts other district expenditures in question — technology, for instance, at roughly $1,000,000 a year — which never seem to be discussed in board meetings.

Suggesting “other oversight methods” are available to replace the accreditation process falls far short of identifying a specific process that features self study, peer review and comprehensive follow-up, as offered under the NEASC program in question.

Considering the poor report cards given the schools in the district by the state (Mountain Valley HS an F, Dirigo HS a D and Buckfield Jr./Sr. HS a C), the board, district and schools might be more concerned with providing the public and taxpayers some level of accountability based on industry standards.

Instead, they have saved $22,000 and justified it by pointing lamely to other schools that have followed the same route, while suggesting nothing substantive to replace it.

With no replacement, what can the public expect but further decline in the quality of education in the district?

The students, staff and taxpayers of the district deserve more from its leadership and Board of Directors.

Charlie Maddaus, Sumner