To the Editor:

As reported in two separate articles on school budgets on March 27 (“Chinese program could be eliminated,” page A1; RSU 5 plan asks $650K more, page A3), public school programs and taxpayers are beginning to pay the price for the siphoning off of funds and students to charter schools.

School Administrative District 75 is now contemplating curtailing instruction in Chinese and Spanish, both languages that should be considered especially critical offerings in a curriculum to prepare students to function productively in the global world of the 21st century.

Regional School Unit 5 anticipates a rise in taxes to cover a projected loss of $115,000 in federal funding, as an estimated 15 of its students leave the public school system.

It appears that, already, the supposed advantages of charter schools are diluting the quality of instruction in the public schools and are placing an unfair burden on local taxpayers. One cannot but ask if the charter school option supported by the governor is really in the best interest of Maine’s students and communities.

Janet Kehl
Arrowsic