Our initial reaction to Regional School Unit 1’s proposal to do away with town-bytown budget referendums was a positive one. Who doesn’t want to eliminate government inefficiency? If people have weighed in at the district level, why not let it go at that?
It’s a compelling argument, but any attempt to limit democratic participation — especially in what is exclusively a matter of taxation — seems unwise. We urge officials and residents in RSU 1 to be circumspect about any attempt to limit voters’ input, especially at the municipal level where school taxation is absorbed. Reject the move to end town-by-town school budget votes.
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