Scarborough’s school budget is smart and responsible

As members of the Scarborough Board of Education, our mission is to advocate for the children of Scarborough by adopting a “kids first” educational program, policies and a responsible budget. Through the efforts of the school superintendent, leadership team and the school board, a very thoughtful and well-planned, mission-critical budget was developed and finalized. Over the course of many hours and countless meetings the budget being brought forward to the citizens is a solid budget for Scarborough schools. The school board and Town Council both have approved the budget.

With the reductions in federal and state funding, we have been faced with a large task. How do we best serve our students while being mindful of the community at large? Through thoughtful planning and the education mission in mind, the school’s leadership team, school board and Town Council have come together to make a recommendation to move this budget forward for the town validation vote. This budget aims to rebuild and strengthen existing programs, restore some of those that have been reduced in the past, and provide for those areas needed to prepare our students for success in their future educational endeavors and career paths. The budget is a combination of reallocation of current resources, some incremental additions as well as a delay of some purchases and an overall trimming of line items.

The budget being brought to the voters is a smart and responsible educational budget for Scarborough. The investments we make in our students today will better prepare our leaders of tomorrow. The school board supports the budget and encourages you to support it and vote on Tuesday, May 15, at the Scarborough Town Hall from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

On behalf of the Scarborough Board of Education,

Christine Massengill ?and Bob Mitchell

(Chairs of finance ?and the board, respectively)

Vote for Rebecca Millett

A primary election offers voters an opportunity to choose between qualified candidates and select the one that most closely aligns with the voter’s values and beliefs, and who the voter thinks will represent constituents with the highest commitment. All primary candidates are to be commended for their determination to take on the daunting task of being a legislator. In Senate District 7, Rebecca Millett is the clear choice to represent the people of Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough and South Portland.

Rebecca’s professional, educational and personal experiences span a wide range of disciplines. From financial practices advising for Ukranian business executives in the Peace Corps, to business management and technical consulting for public housing and children’s initiatives in NYC – read her bio (www.rebeccamillett.com) and see for yourself. Rebecca’s community service also includes a wide scope of local issues, from education to agriculture to the arts.

Rebecca has been a champion for the students of Cape Elizabeth while serving on the Board of Education, as well as a skillful negotiator and facilitator of the board’s complicated processes and committees. Undergraduate and graduate degrees in business administration and policy and international relations set the stage for a multi-faceted career path. Rebecca has a proven record of leadership, problem solving, and the clear thinking that is so critical to the decision-making and policy-setting job of a state senator.

But what commends Rebecca most to me is her love of this state, its special places and natural resources, and her fervent wish to see her children prosper and grow in the great beauty of Maine.

Please vote for Rebecca in the June 12 primary election.

Representative Jane Eberle

South Portland