Working on the high school renovation project taught me about how changes happen in the public school system. The stark reality is that after endless hard work from parents, school board members, teachers, students and administrators, it’s the voters in the district who hold the purse strings. These voters either authorize or don’t authorize to pay for the improvements education advocates work so hard to put into motion.

As I face this withdrawal question, I’m asking myself: If I’m going to be working for the next 10 years to improve education in the area, in which scenario are my odds better for realizing educational improvements? In a Freeport-run district or in RSU 5?

Right now, I’m thinking the odds will be better in a Freeport-run district. I’d rather work to improve education in an environment where voters are generally supportive of investing in schools. Pownal voted against the last five school budgets and Durham voted against four out of five. Both towns voted overwhelmingly against the high school renovation. I just don’t see the support we need for improving schools in RSU 5. Voters’ priorities directly control the quality of education we can offer.

I want children and families to feel that Freeport schools are exceptional. I’m willing to stomach delaying the high school renovation for one to two years (putting out a bond vote in Freeport as soon as possible) if the benefit is that we can create a school district whose voters by majority support the efforts of those striving for educational excellence.

Lindsay Sterling

Freeport