For voters in Freeport, there are significant economic, academic and athletic reasons to vote for withdrawal.
It is my experience that, when given a choice in education, smaller is always better. In a smaller school, each student has a greater chance to be known, supported and recognized. The recognition of each child is a precondition for successful learning.
The unanimously approved withdrawal agreement allows for children from all three towns to continue to attend Freeport High School and Freeport Middle School for 10 years. This is the way Freeport has always run its system.
Should some students choose to attend other area schools, our high school overcrowding issue would be relieved, and the need for an expensive $15 million high school expansion would be averted. A high school of 400 students or fewer would still continue to be able to offer all of the special courses it offers now.
Freeport will also continue to compete in both classes B and C, depending upon the sport. Should a Freeport sports team be reclassified from B to C, Freeport’s schedule of opponents will change only slightly, since teams in both divisions play against the mixture of B and C teams located geographically nearest them. Should Freeport withdraw from RSU 5, it is unlikely that any student in Freeport will suffer any loss of opportunity to compete in the sport of their choosing.
Please join me in voting yes Nov. 4.
Tom Edwards, Ed.D.
Former principal
Freeport High School
1996-2006
Freeport
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