Arundel voters need the facts
April 05, 2012 2:00 AM
The initial idea of school consolidation was to save money
and operate more efficiently. We have benefitted by the transfer of Dr. Kevin
Crowley to Mildred L. Day School in Arundel as a result of Regional School Unit
21 (RSU 21) formation. Dr. Crowley's superior leadership skills have no doubt
moved M. L. Day students ahead. However, we believe RSU 21 has failed Arundel by
inequitable tax allocation and loss of local control within the threetown region
of Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel. A majority YES vote April 10, 2012 sets
in place a mechanism recommended by the Arundel Board of Selectmen to produce
factual data, without bias, revealing the impact on Arundel by remaining in RSU
21 as well as the impact on Arundel returning to its own independent school
district.
With regard to taxes, Arundel has faced disproportionate
tax increases during the RSU 21 association under present cost sharing.
According to the 2009-2012 Certificates of Assessment and 2013 budget proposals
in all three towns, Arundel taxpayers contribute many times more per $1,000
valuation than Kennebunk or Kennebunkport taxpayers. Additionally, Arundel
contributes more in state aid than Kennebunk while Kennebunkport contributes
none. The 2013 proposed school budget impacts taxpayers with a home valued at
$300,000 with an approximate tax increase of $148 in Arundel, $92 in
Kennebunkport and $4 in Kennebunk. The numbers speak for themselves.
This article makes it sound like the Arundel Town Selectmen recommended the withdrawal petition that started this whole process. I hope someone on the board corrects this. It was the withdrawal petitioners that brought this to the board. Sincel there were enough signatures, the board had to continue the process.
ReplyDeleteThe disparity in the three towns tax bill is not controlled by the RSU, it is set by the State! You don't like it, complain to our representatives! It has been shown that Arundel's school budget increased at very high rates before consolidating. After consolidatiing, they still increased, but by bery little. Stop scaring people with these numbers unless you're willing to give the full explanation.
Sadly, one of our representatives is a supporter of the withdrawal, he just didn't have the gumption to stand up and say it at the meeting on the 26th.
ReplyDeleteNice opinion editorial
ReplyDeleteA YES vote is to proceed with the withdrawal process...NOT just for a study...be VERY CLEAR On that because the yes crew is trying to say it ONLY IS TO GET THE STUDY DONE...it isn't...it is a VOTE TO START THE WITHDRAWAL PROCESS.....
ReplyDeleteThis is QUOTED by TOdd Shae town manager at the MARCH 26th Meeting...If you haven't listened...please do it is on the town website.
NO means keep our money in Arundel and stay the way it is.
Total proposed budget increase of $246,789 or .69%
ReplyDeleteTotal tuition increase of $177,548 or 6.43%
If Arundel were to stand alone, were are we going to cut cost?
Figures are taken directly from the RSU21 web site.
You are not keeping your money in Arundel by staying in district. Don't be duped!
ReplyDeleteVoting yes on Tuesday for our town.