October 8, 2019
To Whom it May Concern,
As a resident of Fort Kent and Superintendent of Schools for all three school units in the Valley Unified Education Service CenterI am writing to ask the individual or group behind the “Keep our Schools in Fort Kent” and “Help Save Our School” signs to stop posting these throughout our community, as they constitute a misrepresentation of community sentiment in Fort Kent and across MSAD #27.
To the citizens of the communities served by the Madawaska School Department and MSAD #33, I am writing to assure you the individual or group responsible for these signs do not speak for me, for the greater Fort Kent community, and for MSAD #27.
I am also writing to ask all citizens of the Upper St. John Valley: aren’t we tired of settling, tired of watching opportunities come to our region and leave because of individuals who refuse to realize that it’s time to think, behave, and act differently?
We all need to approach the opportunity for a modern, new, regional educational facility in our region with an open mind and we must be receptive to change. The blueprint laid out for education in our communities 80, 50, and even 20 years ago can no longer be followed.
As both a Fort Kent resident and Madawaska native who now serves as Superintendent of Schools for all the communities in the Valley Unified Education Service Center, I invite any citizen in our region with misgivings about the proposed new school to come sit with us and hear about the realities of education today and into the future and to learn what will happen if this regional school project does not succeed.
This regional school project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Prejudice based on rumor, innuendo, fear, baseless accusations, and personal/local politics may compromise the best chance our children and our communities have for a competitive future. We all deserve better. Please allow the site selection committee to continue its work without bias. Please attend meetings and listen to the facts. And please open your mind to change.
Finally, to the individual or group behind the “Keep Our School in Fort Kent” roadside marketing campaign, please take down your signs. All you are doing is creating discomfort and jeopardizing the most important project our region has ever had. Is that really the outcome you want?
Respectfully,
Benjamin Sirois
Citizen of the St. John Valley Community
Thank you for posting this Ben. It’s not about what we will lose in our current high school buildings but all about what we will gain in the new one. We have a chance to get this project funded in the Valley. I for one would love my grandchildren to have the opportunity to be educated in this modern facility. If we lose the state funded project the money WILL BE used elsewhere. And we will have to use local taxpayer money to keep our old buildings a float. This building will offer so many pathways to Valley learners...they will graduate future ready for the work force. They may even choose to stay in the Valley. Please go to meetings and get educated. Do let the minority control how you vote. Please take the signs down.
ReplyDeleteIt is too bad these people are acting on the lack of knowledge concerning this project and are jeopardizing the education of our children.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr Sirois, this type of Local Leadership response is vital as we move forward! It also serves as positive incentive for me and others to participate in a positive manner. Everyone has a right to their own opinions, and they should be respectfully heard, however strong armed,devisive tactics reflects poorly on us as Valley citizens and is simply disruptive in achieving a positive end for all involved.
ReplyDeleteIf I can do anything to help your efforts please feel free to call me at anytime.
Chris Michaud
207-231-0063