Dear Editor:  

Wiscasset taxpayers, are you paying attention? Our school board is pushing through a bloated budget while ignoring public concerns. On March 11, I followed protocol and requested to be added to the agenda before the vote. I was ignored—again. This is a pattern of shutting out taxpayers while approving unsustainable spending.

Our district is set to spend nearly $30,000 per student—outrageous for a system with just 382 students. Before this budget is rubber-stamped, we deserve answers:

Questions the School Board won’t answer: Why are we maintaining two school buildings when only 8% of 1,959 households have children, and 53% of residents are seniors? Why does Wiscasset need duplicate administrators and specialists despite declining enrollment? Why is there no plan to fix our failing schools or improve student performance? Why hasn’t the board pursued a regional consolidation with Boothbay and Edgecomb to reduce costs? Why fund social programs over core subjects like math and science? What is the school’s surplus, and why isn’t it being used instead of demanding more taxpayer money? Why are 43% of students on free or reduced lunch—doesn’t this show taxpayers are already overburdened? Why is there no plan to reduce staff, even though enrollment is shrinking? Why is there funding for sports but not for other extracurriculars? Which school is the most expensive to maintain? Has selling it been considered? What is the plan for declining student numbers as our town’s population ages? Should school staff be required to live in Wiscasset to understand the financial strain on residents? 

Time for action! Cut the budget by 10-20% to reflect reality. Consolidate Wiscasset’s schools with Boothbay and Edgecomb to save money and improve education.

The school board is spending recklessly while silencing taxpayers. Demand accountability before it’s too late!

Rick Lutes

Wiscasset