In light of the glut of information and rhetoric surrounding the two school referendums on Nov. 7, I feel compelled to provide a simplified viewpoint that I hope appeals to those who are confused or undecided at the current time.

First a few undisputable facts to preface my viewpoint:

1. Scarborough’s population will continue to grow. We have nearly 4,000 unbuilt house lots in town, and the access to urban areas, transportation and natural features ensure that Scarborough will be attractive for many years to come.

2. Our property tax rate is low and our property values are high. Communities around Scarborough have mil rates twice that of ours, which has been stable for nearly 10 years. This is a key indicator of a high level of fiscal responsibility.

3. People love to see their home value appreciate. Anyone who has traded up to a better house or taken a home equity line of credit for college bills or a vacation know how home appreciation can provide opportunities.

4. Quality of schools directly affect home values. Real estate brokers steered people away from Scarborough in the late ’70’s due to the perceived weakness of the school system. Today, the strength of the schools is right up there with the beaches as a main attraction for buyers.

5. The school department, local officials, educators and many citizens have studied the school building proposals every way possible for nearly two years. The result of all of this work is the ballot question for each building project we will vote on next Tuesday.

6. Once completed, the town-wide school facilities will be adequate to serve the population for 25 or more years, if properly maintained. This is an investment in our community that will pay dividends for a generation or more.

So, with that in mind, I submit that the information gathered by the officials who have studied the projects for so long, including analysis of the existing facilities, the current opportunities, and gauging the future needs, is true and valid.

They have analyzed the projects in excruciating detail, and I value that work. There are those who will manipulate the figures to serve their purpose, but I trust the professionals, not those who may have an ax to grind.

The need for both projects is clearly justified and the specifics have been well publicized, so I will spare you the redundancy. There has been no rational argument to contradict the need, only twisting of facts and data to confuse the voters.

One particular editorial essentially said, “Our kids are already spoiled, let them go to school in portables until the state says conditions are so bad that they will build us new schools.” I, for one, want to live in a community that values the children more than that, and will be more proactive when it comes to their welfare and education.

To recap, we know the schools are important to the value of our homes and our community. We know there are needs that must be addressed in the Scarborough Middle School and Wentworth Intermediate School, eventually. We also know that it will only be more expensive and potentially harmful to the children to do it later.

Therefore, we should support the two referendums enthusiastically, and I hope that you will.

Patrick O’Reilly

Scarborough