My name is David K. Taylor and I am running for reelection to the Oyster River School Board. The election is March 13th at Mast Way in Lee, the Town Hall in Madbury, and ORHS in Durham. I hope you think I've done a good job serving you over the last 3 years and will support me again with your vote.
The most important issue in this election continues to be the overcrowding and accreditation problems at ORHS. I have campaigned extensively to help you understand this problem and answer your questions about the solution. Though we've twice passed bonds to expand and renovate ORHS, they have been held up by a series of lawsuits, and now await resolution of the statewide property tax case. These 2 years of delays will add an additional $2.3 million to the $20 million project by the time we can start construction next year in the Spring.
The $2.3 million is critical to build an adequate high school that meets the current needs, let alone the projected enrollment growth. Without this bond, the project would be drastically redesigned and we would need even more money in a couple years to patch up the project as we have done for many other projects in the history of ORCSD. Please reaffirm your support for ORHS by voting yes for article 3.
Our elementary schools are approaching capacity and the middle school is over capacity. We need to plan for enrollment growth in these schools before overcrowding becomes critical as it is in the high school. This year we need to decide what to do as a community and have drawings and estimates made for next year's vote. Please vote yes on article 6 to fund this planning.
I've worked hard to improve communication within ORCSD. I continue to run Oyster River On-Line (www.orol.org) that has developed into a vibrant community covering a wide range of perspectives on our schools. I have been a driving force for our new district web site (www.orcsd.org) that will become a major vehicle for communication in our community. I have worked hard to meet with many of you to talk about our schools and particularly the ORHS bonds at countless school functions and the town dump. I will continue to seek new ways to learn about your concerns and keep you informed about our schools.
Most of my work on the School Board has been to listen to all sides of each issue with an open mind and make the best decision I can. I will continue to do this, always trying to improve our childrens' education while limiting the growth in taxes.
Thank you again for your support and please vote on March 13th.
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Last update on 5-Mar-01 at 12:09 AM.
http://www.orol.org/district/elections/1998/taylor_letter.html
This page is edited by David K. Taylor. Please send questions or comments to editor@orol.org.