We, the Raymond Educators’ Association, would like the people of Raymond to know how concerned we are regarding the proposed cuts in staff and programming as discussed at recent school board meetings.

While we certainly understand that the school population in Raymond is decreasing, and understand the need for our School Board and Administration to be fiscally responsible to the people of Raymond, our concerns are for the students and the programs offered.

The administration at both schools has been charged with presenting a responsible budget to the school board. They did this as requested by presenting a budget with less than a 3 percent increase over the current budget. In order to do this, three staff positions were cut, two staff members at Raymond Elementary School and one staff member at Jordan Small Middle School.

In addition to staff cuts, other accounts were also impacted: among them, student extracurricular activities, transportation, supplies, books, equipment, custodial services and staff training. Programming and support have also been reduced: health, guidance and social work. This was all done to meet the school board’s request.

Now, administration is being asked to cut more. One board member has suggested an additional cut $150,000 from the overall school budget. We firmly believe that it is impossible to make any further cuts without drastically reducing the programs we offer our students.

The state is mandating higher standards for our students, and in order for us to meet these standards and remain competitive academically we need to retain our current programming, not reduce it.

Please show your support to the children of Raymond by attending the public forum March 31 at Jordan Small Middle School at 7pm. The children of Raymond need your support.

MaryEllen O’Donnell, Maria Parisi, Kim Weeks, Martha Spencer, Ann Stinehour, Casey Reynolds, Barbara Loux, Deborah Tarr, Deborah Hutchinson, Linda Mirone, Ann Marie Malnati, Gail Keisman, Kristina Truesdale, Bonnie Wiley, Pat Allen, Jani Cummings, Deborah Shaw, Susan Crockett, Jennifer Potter, Deborah Blanchard, Patricia Gordan, Leesa Smith, Margaret Mains, Stephen Seymour, Terri Taiani, Priscilla Wood, Marilee Dunklee, Jack Fitch, Jennifer Holbrook, John Powers, Mary Thornton, Kellie Ouellette, Teresa Worth, Joni Merrill, Kelly Crockett, Valerie Hammett, Alison Griffin, Patricia Feeney, Greg Carter, Paula Pock, Lynne Estey, Emily Stokes, Dennis Woodruff,

Lynn Eve Davis, April Witsutski, Chris Newcomb, Susan Irish, Eva Pacin and Morgan Riley