I am absolutely delighted that the “Middle Ground” approach to our school crisis is being discussed with clarity and professionalism.

As I sat at Town Hall during the June 17 joint Town Council/School Board workshop on the “Middle Ground” school design, I was pleasantly surprised by the spirit of compromise in the air.

I was very encouraged by the “Middle Ground” school construction project solution that was presented by Harriman at the recent joint workshop of the Cape Elizabeth School Board and Town Council.

As a “boomer” and senior living in Cape Elizabeth for nearly 20 years, I need to express my deep concern about our commitment to educational excellence in Cape that puts the future condition of the buildings in jeopardy

Let’s reduce the scope of option E, bring its tax impact under 10% and at least get something for our hard-earned money.

Meeting educational goals, staying within budget, and minimizing the impact on students and educators… there was an extensive Q&A session with our lead architect from Harriman. The board also provided valuable floor time to our educators, allowing school principals to speak about the practical impacts of various design elements.

After years of COVID interruption, I couldn't fathom compounding kids’ disruption by putting them in a trailer for years when other options are available. I also worried about the teachers and principals who spoke at the meeting about the hardships they would face in trailers. Would they burn out and leave our district?

But doesn’t the strong support for Option E in the latest voter survey mean that the SBAC’s herculean efforts to inform voters about the various options have changed enough minds among previously skeptical Capers to give the far wiser, more cost-effective Option E a fighting chance next November?

I was heartened by the overwhelming turnout of Cape citizens at the recent SBAC meeting, hundreds of people coming together to demand a sustainable, long-term solution for our schools and our town.

In the end, five members of SBAC voted to go down a path supported by only 17% of this town. Cape will continue to suffer from that type of decision making until we have leaders who actually represent our values.

I am genuinely saddened to see the governance of this community fail its citizens once again. A new middle school is desperately needed, but five members of the committee said no, repeatedly stating a 320 foot by 100 foot new cafeteria space was all we need to solve our problems.

Renovation is the most risky option on the table today. Investing $78+ million in an outdated 65-year-old building, displacing students in portables for at least two years, and hoping for no surprises is a poor use of taxpayer money.

The daily tax impact cost difference between Option E and Option B is $1.18. Folks who still think option E is “too costly” either don’t have the facts or are willfully ignoring them.

We cannot avoid making a major investment in our schools; the needs are demonstrable, documented, and publicly available. Let’s make every dollar count. A new middle school in Cape Elizabeth will cost taxpayers less in the long run.

The best time to start saving would have been in the 90s, the second best time would have been every year since. The third best time is right now. The council must focus and act in the best interest of its residents, by limiting their discretionary funding to crucial items and saving the rest for our critical infrastructure needs.

I want to share my appreciation for the efforts being made by the school department to find savings where they can while still meeting the needs of our students.

It’s taken me awhile to feel comfortable encouraging my fellow Cape residents to support the new school initiative. I have known for a while now that I would quietly vote YES.