I was unable to attend the last Board of Education meeting in Scarborough due to a family emergency out of state. I had requested that the following be read into the record. This was not done and I would like the citizens of Scarborough to know my views on the school department budget.

The requested increase of approximately $2 million in the operating budget in my opinion is not needed. Citizens of this town are expecting tax relief with the increase in state funding. I suggest reducing the proposed increase by at least $500,000. This decrease would meet the needs of the school and still achieve the fiscal discipline that we need to maintain the support of the taxpayers.

I firmly believe that our first priority as school board members is to make sure we do everything we can to pass the bond referendum in November 2006. This bond will solve our infrastructure needs at the middle school and Wentworth School. This will be a challenge after the voters just approved $27 million for the expansion of the high school just a few years ago.

Anything we do to diminish citizen support of this bond is counterproductive in the long-term needs of this town. Heated sidewalks in the CIP budget and all-day kindergarten in the operating budget will cause a segment of our population to question our ability to control spending.

Dianne Messer

Board of Education member

Scarborough