When consolidation was thrust upon us, no one was happy about the idea. After more than a year of research, planning and hard work, an RSU was formed. It was rocky at the start. After several years of compromise and concessions, we have collectively moved forward. RSU 5 is working.

RSU 5 is right for our kids. Smaller schools are lonely places for quirky or unique students. A larger, more diverse school increases the number of social interactions allowing everyone to engage in a variety of peer groupings. Academic options increase. Extracurricular options increase. Athletic, dramatic, musical and artistic options increase. Academic, athletic and performance teams can become more competitive.

RSU 5 is right for our communities. Pownal and Durham students have been afforded and denied access to area high schools on and off over the years. Being a part of RSU 5 gives these families a place to call home. “Choice” means that students who grew up together do not attend the same high school. It is not enough for Freeport to accept just some of these students. Pownal and Durham families work, shop and play in Freeport. Since forming the RSU, the bar has been raised in Pownal and Durham schools in terms of resources and salaries. Now is the time to move forward together.

RSU 5 is right for our budgets. It takes a critical mass of students, and the money that follows them, to effectively fund a great school system. The numbers being presented, comparing the 2013-2014 budget as a stand-alone versus an RSU with full enrollment, is exceptionally misleading. With withdrawal, enrollment will decline. In fact, one of the goals of withdrawal is a school of 350 to 400 students.

The budget process is arduous and confusing. Voting has been difficult. However, there will be a process no matter what the outcome. It is preferable to work with our neighbors than to try to pass a school budget at town hall. With withdrawal, this layer of government is added to the process and taxpayer input is decreased.

Simply put, more students means more money, a greater variety of classes, greater extracurricular opportunities, better salaries, better services for our struggling students and for those performing ahead of their peers, and lower taxes.

We can’t go back. Much in education has changed over the years. Voting yes will not take us back to the good old days. Voting no will bring us into the future with a bigger, brighter, better school system that enjoins our communities with a renovated high school that includes a necessary modernizing addition.

I am unconvinced that withdrawal will improve education, save money or improve our schools.

I am convinced with withdrawal we will pay more and get less.

Students and families in Freeport, Pownal and Durham have been in turmoil for more than six years. It is time to end the controversy and allow the efforts of our work, time and money to take off. Remaining a tri-town Regional School Unit is the right thing to do

Please join me in supporting the work of the many teachers, administrators, and parents who have been working to blend our schools and our communities. We have new leadership, a new principal, and will have a new superintendent. We have a renovation plan. Let’s do this.

Please vote no on withdrawal. We’re better together

Liz Andrews

Freeport