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‘All is not well in RSU 59’ as Starks considers leaving

The town of Starks recently voted to investigate options for leaving Regional School Unit 59 and joining another RSU. This vote demonstrates clearly to our youth that we value education and are willing to do what is necessary to ensure them a good education. Starks can take care of its own, but what about the other students in the district?

All is not well in RSU 59. Parents and citizens there should ask questions and demand answers. Starks’ dissatisfaction with policy decisions not in the best interest of our young people, combined with what amounts to bullying of our school directors, led to our decision to consider leaving.

As a result of RSU restructuring, a voting block of three Madison school board directors can outvote the other six-plus directors, essentially shutting out the opinions of the others, and has resulted in a number of bad decisions that often lack transparency and accountability.

One example is when three Madison school board members outvoted six other board members to turn down hundreds of thousands of federal dollars (our money) available because Madison High School is at the bottom in educational performance.

The three-member voting block didn’t even require the superintendent to recommend a creative way to take advantage of these funds. Citizens and taxpayers deserve an explanation for why the money was turned down, and, more importantly, what is being done to improve the educational system. This is just one of many unexplained bad decisions.

Residents and taxpayers have the power to elect school board members who will do what is best for our children, as well as spend our money wisely and fairly. Remember, our children are watching and developing their values based on our actions.



Gwen Hilton

Starks