To the Editor:

The Oxford Hills School District is right-sizing and modernizing over the next five years to provide a better education for students and savings for local property taxpayers. This work includes achieving $3 million in reductions in next year’s school budget.

Please vote yes on Tuesday, June 10, at your local voting place to support our students, our educators, and to continue our progress toward a stronger, more sustainable school system.

Rising property values and a decline in enrollment cost us more than $1 million in state aid this year, and our assessment for additional local funds is up 61% over three years.

To offset the impact on local property taxpayers, the Oxford Hills School Board approved a budget proposal this May that achieves $3 million in reductions, including:
● 15 positions are eliminated for long-term savings — mostly through attrition
● $1.4 million reduction in facility spending
● $200,000 reduction in special education expenses
● $139,000 in lower system administrative spending.

The budget keeps our promises to our students, families, and educators with:
● $2 million for negotiated salary and benefit agreements with our educators and staff
● $420,000 in school safety and security investments
● $300,000 to purchase 4 new buses to get our kids to school
● $705,000 in facilities investments to maintain our aging schools.

Voter support is needed on Tuesday, June 10, to pass a budget that reduces spending by $3 million while still supporting our students, families, and teachers.

Veronica Poland
Chair, MSAD #17 Budget Committee
West Paris