School consolidation has not worked for our town of Freeport, and on Dec. 17, we must seize the opportunity to regain local control of our schools. Every community should be able to forge its own educational path and deliver an education of its choosing to its youth. Studies have shown repeatedly that small class sizes, smaller schools and quality facilities are crucial components to delivering a quality education. Investment in education and in school facilities not only enhances our kids’ educational experience, but it also brings the community together and increases property values. The Freeport voters have consistently demonstrated support for these ideals.

Since the inception of the RSU, however, every major vote relating to education spending has shown that Durham and Pownal have different views on how they wish to spend tax dollars and how to support (or not support) education. There is no evidence that this will ever change. As our communities grow, and school populations increase, this divide will grow, and issues with our schools will become even more difficult to address. Freeport can reverse this troubling path only by voting to withdraw from the RSU.

The RSU was sold to us as an attempt to save on administrative costs and make our education spending more efficient. The experiment has failed. Spending has not been streamlined, our taxes have not gone down and our schools and our community have suffered from the loss of local control. Freeport should now join the numerous other towns throughout the state that have voted to withdraw from failed RSUs. Freeport did not choose to join the RSU, but it can now choose to leave, and by doing so, regain local control of education and support our children. Please join me on Dec. 17 in voting to withdraw from the RSU.

Camy Goodwin

Freeport