Grass-roots groups seek solution for SAD 48

NEWPORT – The failure of SAD 48 voters to pass a 2003-2004 budget has resulted in the creation of a variety of grassroots organizations, each with its own agenda.

These groups – CRT, PAK and EIE – all state that at the heart of their missions is the creation of a better, more responsible school system.

But the individual methods being used to foster those missions are worlds apart.

The Committee for Reasonable Taxation, or CRT, is the original group created last summer when its members began reviewing individual budget accounts and questioned the methods used in the district. The group’s mission is to ensure financial accountability and keep property taxes down by lowering school costs.

A major factor spurring CRT’s establishment was a revaluation this past summer of lakeside property in three of the districts six towns: St. Albans, Hartland and Newport. Higher taxes combined with a sluggish economy created a tax revolt.

Rather than take their concerns to Augusta or work through the town meetings to lower local taxes, CRT members targeted SAD 48 and a $16.8 million budget that was 4 percent higher than last year.

About 20 members strong, CRT gained momentum over the past nine months with a series of newspaper advertisements that urged voters to defeat each proposed budget. It worked six times. A seventh budget vote is set for next month.

It appears, however, that CRT may be shifting its concerns back to the state issue with a recent statement by CRT spokesman Gary Jordan Sr.

“Let’s fight the issue, not each other,” said Jordan. “We would hope that all of the negative remarks being made by everyone would cease and that the communities could come together to serve all the needs of our people – children, teachers and the citizens.”

Political Action for Kids founder Brian Hanish said he agrees with Jordan, with one notable exception: PAK is fighting hard to pass the budget on April 13, while CRT is still working for deep cuts.

PAK was created more recently to offset CRT’s actions. It is an umbrella organization, consisting of parent-teacher groups, the teachers’ association, booster groups and the former Excellence in Education program started by Ephrain Rojas to offset CRT.

“Our goal is simply to promote education,” Hanish said Saturday. “For now, our obvious focus is on the budget and getting out positive news about our schools,” he said. “I’m hoping we can all put aside our differences for this common goal.”

Hanish said PAK will also take out a full-page advertisement in a local shoppers’ guide every Monday promoting the budget. “We also have orange stickers on our cars and will begin putting up lawn signs Sunday,” he said.

Hanish said the infighting and split between the various groups is only hurting the district and students. “This isn’t about confrontation with other groups. Down the road, once we have a passed budget, we’d like to work together on the problems in Augusta. I think we need compromise. We need to find some common ground.”

Jordan agreed. “We are not against supporting our schools,” he said. “But we are concerned with all people within the district being able to continue to pay higher and higher school costs.” He challenged Hanish and others to “join us in an effort to increase school funding by the state government rather than to try to turn neighbor against neighbor.”