Editor:

I believe it is vital that we vote yes on the proposal to renovate South Portland High School.

It’s about education. Much of our high school is over 50 years
old. Classrooms are too small and too few. The building’s
plumbing, heating and electrical systems are out of date. Teachers
run extension cords between classrooms in order to operate basic
educational equipment.  Administrators fear the high school may
lose its national accreditation – not because our teachers are failing,
but because of the failing condition of the facilities.

It’s about safety. Our high school is simply not as safe as it
should be. It has asbestos in floors, ceilings and
insulation. It does not meet current fire code requirements. There
are leaks causing mold. It does not satisfy the Americans With
Disabilities Act. It does not meet minimum air quality
standards. These are serious health and safety deficiencies that
must be remedied.

It’s about the future. Investment in education pays long-lasting
dividends throughout our community. The Secondary Schools
Facilities Committee has worked diligently over three years to develop
a plan for a high school that will last another 50 years. We’ve
been “fixing” problems with band-aids for too many years. It’s
time to do the job right.

We owe it to the teachers who are struggling to teach in a substandard
facility. We owe it to the children of South Portland (and their
children). We owe it to our community. Please vote yes on
Nov. 6.

Eben Adams

South Portland