Dear Editor:

The arguments to limit school choice in Alna keep shifting, suggesting proponents do not have firm ground to stand on.

First they said there was fraud. The cases proved trumped-up and investigations a waste of tax dollars. Plus the superintendent stated (March 5 hearing) that this warrant does not prevent fraud. If you don’t want to punish all future children for baseless accusations against a few, vote no.

Then it was argued taxes will increase, because families will move to Alna for private school tuition despite the fact that we have no housing inventory and no available rentals. Therefore, the number of children is capped, and enrollments in coming years will prove projections wrong. If you want Alna to welcome families, vote no.

When parents of children attending both private and public schools tried to ask questions and engage in dialogue, it was met with offense and public comment was shut down. If you believe citizens deserve a voice in our political process, vote no.

Some said public monies should only fund public education, yet the petition still funds independent schools through grandfathering, and states private high school tuitioning remains. Independent schools offer cost benefits to the RSU, which hasn’t been examined. Since we pay the same per student no matter the school, vote no.

Some argue we still have public choice. Yet, there are no guarantees that schools outside of the RSU like Great Salt Bay and Wiscasset Middle School will accept our children if numbers shift from private to public. Keeping independent schools in the mix ensures everyone has access to high-quality education and keeps pressure on public schools to improve. If you want the insurance that full choice offers, vote no.

We were told we shouldn’t care, because our children are grandfathered. The Superintendent (March 5) could not guarantee the legality of grandfathering and March 12 the School Board Chair only said the district would consider the wording. If you want the same opportunities for all children, vote no.

Finally, if you feel there are more questions and the issue needs more examination and unbiased analysis, vote NO.

May Mitchell

Alna