Thumbs up, thumbs down

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20131024-OPINION-310240370

Thumbs down to RSU 21 officials for voting to hold the vote on $74 million in proposed renovations to three of the district's schools in January. While we understand the concerns that costs for the projects will rise the longer the district waits, given the fact that a building plan has been in discussion for at least three years (and the Master Facilities Plan was released two years ago) we find it hard to understand the need to hold the vote in January. If there was a need to vote as soon as possible to save money, wouldn't it have made more sense for officials to have the plan ready for a vote this November, to ensure the greatest number of voters weighed in on a project with tremendous potential impact to all three towns? With all three town clerks and board of selectmen urging the board against the January vote, we're concerned district officials have already created some distrust in the community that must be overcome for the project to succeed. We do take heart at Superintendent Andrew Dolloff's announcement that a committee is being formed to help educate the public on the upcoming vote. This is a project that will require a great deal of very detailed information to be shared so voters fully understand what is at stake.

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