I support withdrawal from RSU 5, and urge all Freeport voters to vote yes on the question on Election Day. I believe that withdrawing from the RSU gives Freeport students the greatest educational opportunities. Since my oldest daughter’s graduation from FHS in 2008, I have been dismayed to observe the decline in the quality of education in Freeport. While we still have many excellent teachers, I know that several of our best teachers have left employment here because of the RSU.

There is another reason, however, why I support withdrawal from the RSU. When we decided to move to Freeport 21 years ago, we did so because of the innovative educational program offered. Some of our friends made the same choice, and the result has been a very interesting community. This trend has reversed with the RSU, and people are now leaving Freeport for better schools in neighboring school departments. We have lost some of our top students, and also lose their parents as advocates for quality education. By regaining local control, I believe our schools can be excellent again and Freeport can attract the kind of people who value education. (This may also result in a return of rising property values here.) Remaining in a union with towns whose voters have consistently voted against the school budgets, is not, in my view, the best way to make Freeport home, once again, to an excellent school system.

Please vote yes on the question of whether Freeport should leave the RSU.

Eric Bryant

Freeport