One of the primary reasons people have cited in wanting to
back out of the RSU has been concern over taxes, especially in light of needed
repairs to three of the district's schools, and particularly Kennebunk High
School.
Yet to date, there has been no substantive discussion of
the cost of operating a freestanding district versus remaining in the RSU, much
less on the issues that very much need to be hammered out: What programs will
continue to operate in the new district and at what cost? Will personnel remain
at Mildred L. Day School, or will there need to be a district-wide shuffling?
How will the district maintain the improved test scores Mildred L. Day has
achieved over the past two years?
Seriously, we just spent $35,000 and we still have no anwers. I read the withdrawal agreement. It's vague and lacks financial data that we need to make such an important decision about the future of this town. If we wanted to use our "gut" instinct we could have done so without spending this money. Many, many people in this town voted to proceed to have this study done, not because they wanted out of the RSU, but because they wanted answers. If we do not get answers in a timely manner to make an educated decision on this we should not go to vote on the withdrawal in November.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention that the withdrawal committee only planned out the FIRST YEAR after the withdrawal. So, what, after the first year, we just wing it?
DeleteI have really begun to question the qualifications of the people running this show, and I have so little faith in this process that I will not be surprised at all if it completely crumbles apart if it ends up passing.
The town was supposed to furnish all of this info, and there isn't a thing on the website. The meeting minutes are *terrible* and lack any significant details. A clear indicator of the lack of experience those in charge have, and a lack of caring for the citizens of Arundel.
AND: if you haven't already received your tax bill, be prepared to pay more. They went up again this year. It's amazing the amount of b.s. that's shoveled on in piles by the anti-RSU folks, using taxes as a scare tactic.
DeleteWe didn't buy out the contract, and our taxes went up. Haven't voted on anything major since, and our taxes went up *again*.
I shudder to think what will happen if this withdrawal is pushed through.
And trust me, it will be shoehorned through at the expense of the majority, because of the minority.
Which minority are you speaking of, because it is the majority of Arundel voters who have said no to every budget since consolidation, and it is the majority of voters who seek to withdraw.
DeleteWrong. Arundel historically has had a less than 30% turnout for voters. I hate to burst your bubble, but that is far from a majority.
DeleteOf that 30% turnout, depending on the topic being voted on, it tends to be split 50/50, 70/30, 60/40.
That 30% of voters, though, does not make up the entire number of voting citizens in Arundel. With a population of close to 4,000, when only a few hundred show up, the 'majority' are not speaking. A minority is speaking. And sadly, that minority is screwing everyone else over.
It "would" be nice if every registered voter voted. The majority of the Arundel voters that voted did turn down every budget, and did vote to withdraw from the RSU. We could speculate all day about how each would vote, the results are the results. Those who have an expressed interest go out and vote. Those who don't go out and vote that is their freedom. We could also use a play on words all day too. But it doesn't change the fact that the majority of votes are what they are. *WE can't* make everyone come out and vote, and we can't make everyone listen why to stay consolidated or to withdraw, and the majority of Arundel who are not speaking as you say, are choosing not too by their own liking. So what? The only thing that matters in the end is the voting result, nothing more and nothing less.
DeleteArundel did not vote to withdraw from the RSU. They voted to start the process so that they could get answers to unanswered questions so that they could make an educated decision. They thought they would be given results before they would be asked to vote. Sadly a lot residents voted yes and did not understand that it was the start of withdrawal process.
DeleteDid they vote to start the withdrawal process unknowingly or didn't they? That is the question. I'd like to have your crystal ball that tells how everyone voted and the reason why they voted the way they did.
DeleteThe town should not allow this on the ballot until all questions are answered. Every citizen in this town needs to be informed and educated about the truth of our future spending and more important the quality of education our children, grand children and Great grandchildren! I really do not care about next year or the year after. This is about our future!
ReplyDeleteThe fact that they've only looked a year ahead spells disaster for the future. I am flabbergasted that people aren't more informed, and just vote along with the herd, or don't even vote at all.
DeleteFor those concerned about the financial data, it will be done by the first week of October, ample time to make a decision. If there is issues with the minutes of the meeting, everyone is welcomed to attend these "public" meetings. I heard town hall also has audio of the meetings, and it is public record, all you have to do is ask for it. Hopefully information will be going out about the data, for those who can not attend the September 19th RSU meeting, and the October public hearing on this issue.
ReplyDeleteEveryone should be concerned about the financial data. And it should be ready for the September 19th meeting, not the first week of October. Since this meeting is to discuss the document, shouldn't that all important financial data be included? What's the point, otherwise?
DeleteWhy *isn't* it ready for the September 19th meeting?
The meeting on the 19th of September is to discuss the "Withdrawal Agreement". The agreement between Arundel and RSU 21 are two seperate issues, for the same purpose. Although we would all like it sooner than later, that isn't going to happen. Democracy! I am sure RSU 21 will have their financial view to present to the Arundel voters.
DeleteArundel will be given the data prior to the vote.
ReplyDeletePeople have been voting and not voting for years. The vote isn't here yet, there is a process that needs to be followed. It may bring a lot of discomfort not knowing what the outcome will be, and it really seems like some of you do not understand the process.
It seems like you're rather condescending. We understand the process. There is also an understanding that the citizens of Arundel were lied to. The language that was conveyed at Selectmen's meetings was that this whole process was a 'study'.
DeleteThe language that was produced for the vote was not for a 'study', but to allow the expenditure of up to $35K to go through the withdrawal process.
If, in fact, this were about a 'study', and not to withdraw from the school district, then no withdrawal committee would have been formed, nor would a withdrawal agreement have been drawn up, nor would it have been submitted to Commissioner Bowen for approval.
It really seems as if you think people in Arundel are stupid. Many of us are not. It is unfortunate that only a few hundred people out of almost 4,000 vote at any given time. Says a lot about the town, how it's run, and the likely apathy of those who don't vote, because they know that no matter how they feel about it, there is always going to be that group of 'The Angry 200' who will shout them down and push through their agendas, even if it is to the detriment of their children's futures, and the taxpayers' wallets.
Where can I send next year's tax bill? Mine went up again this year, and for not having bought out the contract, I can say without hesitation that Arundel was lied to.
Arundel could have done the study with or with out the withdrawal process started.
DeleteI understand the process. Receiving the data 2 days or 2 weeks before the vote is not exceptable.
ReplyDeleteThe voters of Arundel have the opportunity to be given the data at the Withdrawal Committee meeting, all they have to do is go to the meeting. If they can't go to the meeting, the town manager is putting the data on the website, and copies I am sure will be available at town hall. It gives enough time, and if there are questions that voters have they can also attend the Board of Selectmen's Public Hearing. The selectmen are also meeting on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month.
DeleteThe information that is written in the minutes for these meetings is pathetic. There is *no* substantial information, no detail, and none of the worksheets or spreadsheets reviewed are included with those minutes, which they should be.
DeleteTwo weeks before a vote is unaceptable. This process should never have been pushed through.
The meeting on the 19th is to discuss the withdrawal agreement as it is written. The financial impact data is not available and will not be available until day October, just days before the vote. People cannot get that information from the meeting, selectman or website because it is not available yet.
DeleteIt should be available Oct. 1, the vote is on Nov. 6. That is just not days before the vote, over a month.
Delete_______________________________________________________
AnonymousSaturday, September 15, 2012 8:41:00 AM EDT
Go get the information that was at the meeting, go and listen to the meeting. If you want to know the town isn't going to know you want to know unless you go and ask for it yourself. Take it up with the town.
Please, the financial impact imformation is not available and the quote from Charles Lawton says that it will not be available until sometime in October. Days before, not a month before the vote.
DeleteI do not believe it is just days before the vote. The Board of Selectmen have to arrange a date prior to the vote for a public hearing. Saying that the meeting is going to be days before the vote is an *exageration*. As with any change in town, there is always a public hearing 10 days prior to the vote. How many days are you talking, 3, 4? People need to attend the Arundel Withdrawal Committee meeting in October. (Date to be determined) I would believe that there will be 30 +/- a day or two prior to the vote. Long enough to make a determination.
DeleteIf you want numbers to help you make your decision REMEMBER the proposed KENNEBUNK HIGH SCHOOL renovation project...and how this will EFFECT US ALL for the few kids whom choose to attend Kennebunk High School....who will have that choice no matter what we decide with the RSU 21!
ReplyDeleteRSU 21 Building Project Impact Calculator
The RSU Facilities Committee has recommended significant upgrades to Mildred L. Day School, at an early-estimated cost of $3.7M. A similar proposal to refurbish Kennebunkport Consolidated School has been estimated at $4.2M, while a complete renovation of Kennebunk High School is projected to cost $46.3M. By entering data from your 2012 tax bill into the chart, below, you may determine the approximate impact of such each, or all, of these projects on your tax bill during the highest year of repayment of this 20 year bond
Town of Residence Arundel
Building Project Kennebunk High School
Assessed Property Value $280,000.00
Annual Impact in Year Two $414.99
Monthly Impact in Year Two $34.58
http://rsu21.net/HSBuildingComm.php
Nice try, but no stogie. What it will cost us to withdraw, and not just for the first year, is the information that should be shared on the 19th, and is information that should already be available.
DeleteIt isn't, it won't be, and there's probably a good reason or two for that. My guess is that it's going to cost us more than we can afford as individual taxpayers and a town, to run our own 'school district', and because it might wake some of those naysayers up, and cause them to change their mind about voting for withdrawal.
This process has been a sham from the beginning. In order to study feasibility of a withdrawal, there was no need to go through the formal withdrawal process. The anti-RSU folks are rather conniving, I'll give them that.
The word 'study' wasn't in the language, except that's how this whole process was sold. So they got all their pals together (the ones who they know they could con into voting 'yes' for this) and duped them all.
Shame on all of you.
It makes me wonder what the rush is. Are we afraid that if we have the financial impact information before the vote takes place then the majority of the yes voters will change their mind. That's what I am thinking. Lets rush the vote so the townspeople have no idea what they are voting on. I rushed into the first yes vote. Its definately a no this time if I don't get answers. We can always try again in 2 years if it doesn't work out.
DeleteThe impact of the building renovations is unacceptable and would be a detriment to the town. We have large population of elderly. Continually people forget about the elderly.
DeleteTrying in 2 years to get it is the most unreasonable thing I have heard all day, waiting 2 years we will be on the hook for the renovations for real real estate in 2 other towns. Look what the roof at MSK has already done, we are on the hook for that.
I suppose this is the American way now, take care of everyone else before taking care of your own.
Waiting is not unreasonable considering we do not even know what you are voting for. And I am talking about taking care of my own. My grandchildren, my greatgandchildren and right on down the line. That is what you need to think about.
DeletePlease do not tell me what I need to think about. I am perfectly capable of thinking for myself. Waiting 2 years would mean Arundel will be on the hook for the excessively huge building renovations if we were to stay or withdraw.
DeleteI suspect that withdrawal will be successful based on finances.
I suspect you're incorrect. Arundel couldn't afford a proper education prior to the consolidation. What makes you think they can keep up with what they pay teachers now, or that they can afford to bring MLD up to code?
DeleteThose of us who think know that TA has been courting a select few in Arundel to try and take the K-5 education over.
How selfish of all of you who support that, for taking away choice from parents, and for selling our town down the road. My tax bill is already too high. If this passes, I'd like to mail it to all the supporters of this ridiculous withdrawal.
This has to be the most bass-ackward town I have ever lived in, with the most uninformed, uneducated people at the helm. It's really to the detriment of those who cannot afford to make ends meet, as well as the children in this town.
If you want your child to continue with the 'status quo' minimum, take them out of MLD and teach them yourselves. There are other parents who care about their childrens' futures, though. Step aside and let them have the choice as parents that they rightfully should.
READ YOUR TAX BILLS!
ReplyDeleteEducation
2013-72.49%
2012-73.31
2011-74%
By not buying out the contract, education expenses have gone down.
How can you can say this is from not buying out the contract? It's more likely because of the RSU. This is why we need the financial impact study.
DeleteRSU 21 saved 1.2 million for not buying out the contract.
DeleteNo it didn't.
Delete