Fight for local control

This is in reference to the school regionalization notes by Barbara Merrill (“Avoid ‘Wal-Martization’ of schools,” BDN op-ed, Jan. 30). I agree with her completely and appreciate that she is willing to spend time working on this very important project. Bigger may be better from a business point of view but it is not when it comes to education. Not in terms of quality of education and not even in terms of reduced cost.

I was research director for a group called Fair School Funding. Much work has been done since then and many reports provided demonstrate these facts. Why are our governor and legislators ignoring them? My efforts back then were to try to convince the state government that there is a difference between “liquid assets” and “fixed assets,” especially when the fixed assets are your home.

Valuation-based taxation may have been fair back when more land owned meant more income. It has no such meaning today, yet the funding formula still is based on the valuation of the municipality. This valuation in no way represents “ability to pay.” If you agree with Merrill let her know and let your

voice be heard.

Local control is not a bad or expensive thing. Fight to keep it.

Robert E. Dennison

Tenants Harbor