SAD 63: spend or save?

I read the Feb. 11 article on the proposed SAD 63 preschool public forum scheduled for Feb. 26 in the Holbrook School. SAD 63 wants to spend $38,023, according to Superintendent Ray Hart, on this projected preschool.

The preschool will serve 12 to 15 students, ages 4 and 5, in Holden, Eddington and Clifton. The cost will cover one teaching and one assistant position, part-time and for one year. How much more will the preschool cost taxpayers if it’s open to all the children in SAD 63?

This preschool will cost nothing to the students who attend it. The idea of leaving no child behind will exclude 30 to 40 students in the 4- to 5-year age group who won’t go to that preschool if it is open this fall. There are not enough rooms in the proposed preschool.

On Feb. 5 and Jan. 30, two public forums on high school choice for SAD 63 were held. The purpose was to discuss a proposed exclusive contract with Brewer High School for 10 years to save the district money. Now, this option to spend money on a handful of children to attend the proposed preschool is on the public forum. Parents should pay for preschool.

The tri-district student population has gone down in the last five years, yet SAD 63 increased administrative costs. A suggestion is to mirror the K-8 school calendar with the sending high schools. This was the norm eight years ago, and transportation and days off for families stayed intact. Please attend the preschool and budget meetings.

Pat Cammack

Holden