To the Editor:
On May 19, Jefferson held a town meeting to discuss the school budget. After AOS 93 Superintendent Steve Bailey presented the budget overview, the moderator presented the articles for a vote.
Before each ballot he asked if there was any discussion; and for each, there was no discussion, no comment, no question, and no amendment offered. Every article passed with a show of hands sufficient that they did not need to be counted. One article related to exceeding the State’s Essential Programs and Services required a written “Yes” or “No” response. It also passed with over 70 percent approval.
We have learned that those who voted “no” at the town meeting are organizing a campaign to defeat the school budget when it is voted on next week. This past weekend, we honored those who died giving them the right to do so. Without hearing their arguments at the town meeting it is difficult to know their reasoning. So we ask you to be informed.
If you are approached by someone encouraging you to defeat a budget that was approved by more than 70 percent approval at the town meeting, ask them why. Then also consider the reasoning of the vast majority of those in attendance at the meeting.
The budget validation referendum vote on the Jefferson education budget, both question one and question two, is Tuesday, June 2, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Jefferson Fire and Rescue Station.
