Two weeks ago, the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District school committee and board of trustees moved forward with Lavallee and Brensinger’s master plan concept design phase. Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 Superintendent Keith Laser’s recommendations were approved, which also included accepting unconditional donations to fund the approximately $2.5 million phase, establishing a building committee which will solicit an architectural firm and, after the design is done, set a CSD-wide referendum.

According to our article, "The master plan concept design envisions a renovated Boothbay Region Elementary School with significant construction and a demolished high school. Some questioned the need to eliminate the BRHS building, while others questioned the project’s timing. All agreed on the importance of mapping out a clear future for education in the Boothbay region."

Do we need a new high school and restructured elementary school? If they build it, will they (students) come?

There are concerns floating around in the community that providing affordable housing needs to be addressed before undertaking such a plan. Do we know what the tax impact will be if this plan goes through? Do we know if young families can continue to live here if taxes continue to rise? Has the school system done any type of survey from around the state regarding schools getting more students because a new school was built? Should this decision be made during a pandemic?

There are many more questions to ponder and information to be provided before an important decision such as this is finalized.

The lack of housing and job opportunities in the region have prompted our young people to move away to other locations which provide good jobs and affordable rent or home purchases. It has been happening for years.

Will building a new school be the answer to gaining regional prosperity?

We need to think long and hard on that last question before any vote is proposed.

We urge everyone to get involved in these discussions, to state your concerns to those who are directly involved with this plan.