To the editor,

My name is Kim Mueller, and I am voting yes on the Ellsworth School District referendum. We moved to Ellsworth just over a year ago, and my husband and I are both retired.

I believe in the value of education and the importance of an educated community—both locally and globally. Voting yes will help ensure that Ellsworth students continue to receive a high-quality education. One reason the district is turning to the community for this operational referendum is that state funding has not kept pace with inflation. As a result, additional local support is necessary to maintain the current level of school operations.

Ellsworth School District has also demonstrated fiscal responsibility. For example, the recent construction project came in under budget. These particular funds were allocated for construction and legally could not be used for any other purpose except construction. Therefore, allowing the district to include a golf simulator. Both the simulator and the gym are designed to be self-sustaining through paid community memberships.

This is an operational referendum, and we are at a critical point where we must decide whether to maintain the level of education and services our schools have traditionally provided. Some cuts have already been made for the upcoming school year due to expiring funds. If the referendum does not pass, deeper cuts will follow—impacting our students and the future of this strong and vibrant community that I’ve come to appreciate in my short time here.

Kim Mueller

Ellsworth