Editor's note: The Boothbay Register erroneously published an Edgecomb political letter past our announced May 4 deadline. We regret that error and, because the letter, which endorsed school committee candidate Maureen Heffernan, also commented on candidate Heather Sinclair, we invited Sinclair to make a statement before this week's election. Here is that statement. 

My thanks to the Boothbay Register for the opportunity to make a final statement.

Public education is deeply complex, fully intertwined with other social and economic issues, and poorly understood. Most people deeply value our towns, our schools, and our students. But it can be challenging to know what data to use to make decisions that affect many students and families and cost taxpayers millions of dollars. Please remember the following:

• Edgecomb Eddy School's state mandated test scores have been above the state average in 9 of 11 categories over the past five years. https://www.maine.gov/doe/dashboard
• In 2025, the percentage of Edgecomb Eddy students at or above expectations was 6% above the state average in ELA and 11% in math.
• In the past decade EES has used tuition revenue to offset almost $1.5 million in taxes.
• The assessment increase over the last decade averages 4% per year.
• I led town officials to testify in Augusta in pursuit of more state funding, which would lower taxes.
• The cost per student is slightly above state average but below that of many surrounding communities.
  https://www.mainc.gov/doc/sites/mainc.gov.doe/filcs/inline-files/School%20Einance%20-%20FY25%20Resident%20Expendi
  ure%20Per%20Pupil%20-%20LZ.2026,pdf|

Please attend the monthly board meetings and the Second Annual State of the Schools next fall to stay aware, and consider viewing youtube.com/@HeatherM.Sinclair for more information.

For the record, I have never said Edgecomb residents "weren't paying enough taxes." I am a single mother on a fixed income and I fully understand how challenging household finances can be. I did push back against a narrative that taxes are inherently bad, and reminded representatives of the Edgecomb Citizens Tax Group that not everyone believes we shouldn't pay taxes. Paying taxes supports the common good upon which society depends. It is the job of elected officials to place that tax burden on citizens fairly and reasonably and to use those hard earned funds wisely and well.

That conversation takes place in every meeting and must extend to state officials for the sake of senior citizens, families on limited and fixed incomes, and some of the longest standing members of communities such as Edgecomb.

Thank you for being involved and please vote on Saturday May 16 on the school budget validation referendum, town warrant articles (including one to pave the school driveway at no increase in taxes), and local elections.

Heather Sinclair

Edgecomb School Board Chair