On June 13, the voters of Rockport and Camden will go to the polls to consider many decisions relating to town and school issues. One issue that may appear familiar to you will be whether or not to authorize the construction of a new middle school to serve about 200 students.

Having grown up in this school district, attending our local schools, working locally, marrying locally, rearing a couple of great children who also attended our local schools and are presently working in our communities, I feel I have a pretty good perspective, as a local taxpayer who is well informed.

To first consider where we are relative to our community's commitment to education. I think everyone who reads this letter will agree that our communities have demonstrated an unending support for the best education for every level of academics; from kindergarten to adult education. While I write this letter, I want to stress that I, as a past graduate, father of two successful graduates, former Select Board member, Knox County Commissioner, and still involved in town and county "goings on," I understand the economic value our local education system has created.

My issue with the decision to push the community to replace the Camden-Rockport Middle School is one of debt management. We all do it in our personal life; whether it be credit cards, a new auto loan or home mortgage; we look at what we need and what we have in resources to pay for it and make a rationale decision whether or not to take on more debt. As a reminder; we have committed the communities to debt on the Camden Rockport Elementary School, Camden Hills Regional High School, and just recently; assumed more debt with the authorization to build a new school for the Mid Coast School of Technology; a $26 million dollar facility that will cost about $450,000 a year to our district’s school budget.

The other day I lamented that my taxes in Rockport village were $653 in 1980. It is now just under $5,500 and the services are the same. No more town, county or school services. In the 37 years the annual increase has been $131. Maybe for some that is okay and it's not a point of whether I can afford it. It's a matter of whether we are being smart with our town, local and school budgets. I can say that I am personally involved in the creation of the Knox County budget and moderate both the Rockport and School budget hearings, so I can tell you that much of that increase I mentioned in my taxes is related to debt.

I am very familiar with the condition of the Camden-Rockport Middle School. It has deficiencies that should have been addressed by past school boards instead of "kicking the can down the road." Buildings are not designed to be disposed of unless they are neglected. Yes, neglected. Our 200+/- kids are roaming around in what was the elementary, middle and high school. What used to be close to 1,000 students. Now we are being asked to demolish all of that to build a state of the art school for 200-300 students. To do this, I only hope that this project could occur after we pay off the Camden Hill Regional High School [debt] in a few short years.

Many of my friends have the brightly colored signs promoting the replacement of CRMS. They may not speak to me after this letter gets out, but being a townsperson for over 40 years, promoting responsible government, I feel I should share my perspective on where we are as a community, supporting education and still being careful not to overspend our household budget. This letter is to encourage you to make your own decision.

Bob Duke lives in Rockport.