When I look back at my time at Freeport High School, I realize I was fortunate to have been part of the class of 2009. As any graduate in the 2000s can attest to, it was a great decade for our town, our schools were flourishing, and my classmates and I felt privileged to go to school here.

Many of my distinct memories are also uniquely “Freeport.” From going to a school where artistic ability is celebrated just as much as athleticism, to traveling all over Maine for sporting events with the whole school, better known as Freeport “fandom,” which was at its prime during my freshman year of high school, I have nothing but fond memories of high school because I was and am proud to be from a place where it’s acceptable to be yourself. Many families moved to town because Freeport warmly welcomed students from Durham and Pownal; yet, we weren’t a Falmouth or a Yarmouth, and didn’t want to be like other towns. We were uniquely Freeport.

I get frustrated when I hear how school consolidation reversed those gains. The current students won’t experience the system I knew. Many of our educational gains were lost, and customized learning was wiped off the slate. RSU 5 changed our schools and this change was not for the better. Unfortunately, it’s not a path that Freeport, Durham or Pownal chose – we were all forced to do so.

I’m excited that by voting yes, Freeport will be able to regain control of its schools, and again make its decisions locally. The withdrawal agreement also includes a 10-year tuition agreement for Durham and Pownal students, who were welcomed into our schools while I attended. Let’s return to the shared cooperation we had just a few short years ago.

Kelsey Matheson

Freeport High School

class of 2009

Freeport

Copy the Story Link