Project benefits whole community

After weeks of listening to people debate privately and publically the “renovate Freeport High School” issue, I feel a need to speak up. Many claim that the proposed renovation will give them no personal benefit, but unnecessarily cost them in more taxes. Well, consider this.

The vast majority of people that have worked so very hard on this project will never “personally” benefit from the renovations, yet they will all share in the tax burden. Many elderly residents support the plan, even though they may never set foot in the building once complete. My own daughter will be long gone by the time the last nail has been driven. So why is this project so important?

When I first moved to Freeport in the mid 1980s, I remember what the schools and particularly the high school was like. It was not pretty. Today, after years of hard work and dedication, our schools stand out. With an eye toward academic excellence, cultural diversity and inspiration, we have watched our schools transform to some of the very best in the state. Today, we are all so very lucky to be sharing our schools with two neighboring communities, whose students and parents have only further enriched our school experience.

Despite these gains, we still house our student body in outdated, undersized buildings that fail to offer the modern facilities necessary for modern learning. This is not just about renovating a high school, it is about following through on the great advances we have made in our schools and the educational promise of the last 20 years.

For those who worry about their taxes, rest assured we are all in the same boat. But with good schools, recreational facilities and educators, we as a community stand to gain on the long investment we have all made. Whether you have children in the schools or not, the betterment of schools and our community will have a direct impact on increasing property values and community prosperity. It is for the greater tri-town community, not for any individuals, that this project is dedicated – a community that our children will hopefully want to return to, to live, work and raise their own families.

Michelle Allott

Freeport

Can’t be put off Freeport High School needs to upgrade its ineffective athletic facilities.

A member of the class of 2010 and a three-year member of the varsity cross-country and outdoor track teams, I remember it being incredibly inefficient for my teams to travel to Bowdoin College just to use a track.

People may call a track or turf field “luxuries.” However, a large number of schools possess both turf fields and outdoor tracks as bare minimum – especially outside of Maine.

FHS athletic facilities’ effectiveness is analogous to the use of a crank cash register in a crowded grocery store. It does the job, but with poor efficiency, lots of maintenance and a lower-quality end product.

An avid runner and soccer player, I frequently use my college’s track and turf. However, I’m saddened that FHS students don’t have the same opportunity. As girls lacrosse coach Karin Kurry said, “We’re trying to have a program that’s at high standards, and we can’t even use a field. We were in a gym when everyone else was outside.”

That’s a pretty profound statement.

It’s bothersome to see districts with less financial resources boast superior athletic complexes, especially given the importance the people of Freeport, Durham and Pownal place in a high-quality life for students. I understand and respect skepticism about costs. However, with growing enrollment and growing needs, we cannot put this off. The fact that FHS is one of three Class A/B schools in the state without a track is lamentable. I strongly urge voters to vote yes on June 11.

Henry Loughlin

Freeport

Vote for progress

On June 11, the towns of Freeport, Pownal and Durham, all members of RSU 5, will vote on a referendum to make substantial improvements to their high school.

Freeport High School is over 50 years old. The systems are outdated, security requirements are inadequate, and the building is overcrowded. Overcrowding limits the class offerings because of a lack of classroom space. The athletic fields are being overused and frequently are unavailable due to poor drainage. Independent projections show enrollments increasing by at least 10 percent over the next five years.

When my kids were part of the Freeport system, many people without children in the system stood by the schools and supported them with their tax dollars. Now I consider it my turn to do the same for another generation of families and I am glad to do that.

Please join me in voting for progress for our school community by voting yes on June 11.

Fred Palmer

Freeport

Support appreciated

The Durham PTA would like to thank the community, parents and businesses who supported our third annual auction, Saturday, April 27 at the Durham AMVETS. A fun time was had by all who attended and more importantly, we raised $6,000 for the Durham Community School students. The PTA funds enrichment programs, field work and supports many educational programs.

Nancy Decker

Durham PTA president

Copy the Story Link