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One of the Smartest Investments

As a parent of an incoming kindergartener, I’m writing in support of the 2018-’19 budget proposed by our Board of Education, being considered by town referendum on Tuesday, April 10. My husband and I chose to raise our children in Guilford in part because of the strength and quality of its public schools system, and the tremendous support it receives from the community. As always, this year’s education budget proposal is one that invests in continued improvement, including increasing elementary music contact from 30 minutes per week to 60.

We get a fantastic return on our investment in Guilford. According to our superintendent of schools, our schools are ranked number four in educational standards in the state and we’re spending about $4,000 less per student than the school districts ahead of us. We have a beautiful high school that was built ahead of schedule and under budget, with prudent fiscal planning—a project we must continue to support.

The budget proposal represents a low 1.44 percent spending increase, well below the rate of inflation. Since staff and services make up much of the education budget, a zero-percent budget increase is not possible without cutting staff or eliminating services.

The high-quality public education we provide our families in Guilford makes it a gem within the shoreline community. The ongoing improvement of our schools and the success of our children is one of the smartest investments we can make.

Lisa Kelly

Guilford