To the editor:
RSU 50 is approaching the end of its trial period where the towns involved can revert back to there previous status as SAD 25 and CSD 9. I believe RSU 50 is a disaster for SAD 25 and its citizens should take note and get out of this mess.
Starting with the teachers, Katahdin school teachers are paid less than their counterparts. A well known problem that has found no solutions. If a teacher position opens in Southern Aroostook, the teachers of Katahdin need not apply as this would upset the unfair pay apple cart.
One of the only advancements of an SAD 25 employee to result from this merger is the Food Service Director. Currently CSD 9 has cooks who earn more income than their boss.
RSU 50 has created new positions such as business manager, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and a computer uses expert to name a few. These positions far exceed any savings that may have been gained through salaries in the merger.
Taxes have gone up each year as a direct result of rising costs of doing business as an RSU. All of the citizens were told that combining the two organizations would save money. This was just plain wrong and there isn’t enough paper to explain this.
All involved with this merger were aware that the two high schools would need new roofs in the near future and this would be a large expense early on in the RSU. Now we have the superintendent talking to town managers and others about building a new school that can hold the entire RSU. This is specifically why we discussed the new roofs, was to preclude any thinking of shutting down the existing buildings.
Anyone can think of reasons why building a new school would or would not be an asset to our communities. I oppose this idea therefore I will give my reasons for opposing.
Less student opportunities in organized sports, more traveling to conduct organized sports, and loss of employment of highly trained teachers and staff. Because of previously listed problems with the RSU leadership, I have no doubt that the two principals, cooks, teachers, custodians, coaches, and who knows what other positions, could be cut, will be cut from SAD 25.
I can write much more on this issue, instead consider this the person in charge of RSU 50 isn’t fixing anything. The superintendent who spends too much money, has too big a staff, has unfair pay practices, wants a new school to save money. I believe we need to return to SAD 25 and hire a superintendent with a background in math, who has our school in mind.
David Robinson
Sherman
