Letters to the Editor

Superintendent responds to override results

To the Editor:

Two steps forward and one step back. This is one way to characterize the progress the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District has made during the past four year. The good citizens of Ashburnham and Westminster delivered a loud message to the school district that an operating override is not in order. As Superintendent of Schools, I respect that message and certainly understand that these are difficult financial times for the two towns, if not the state and the country. In a democracy we are faced with tough budgetary choices and an operating override clearly falls into this category.

In a few days, school will open, busses will roll and students will arrive anxious to learn. To the public, the results of the failed override will look relatively transparent. As long as children go to school, learn in a safe environment and arrive home on time, very little has changed. The reality is that much has changed. Instead of providing the same level of service this school year as in the previous year, services and programs will be reduced. The voters have made a decision not to fund the following items: 32 staff positions, the curriculum renewal cycle, professional development, the five-year capital plan and only 50 percent of co-curricular programming. The effects of the failed override will results in larger class sizes, fewer course offerings for students, closing school buildings much earlier, decrease in capital maintenance on school property, minimal progress in the area of curriculum work, and a co-curricular fee resulting in fewer students participating in those programs. The statement that "it will not be business as in the past" should be apparent.

Remaining school district employees will continue to be professional and loyal and will work hard to make-up for the losses in programming, personnel and other resources. The school district will continue to work hard to provide the best quality education that is affordable. It is time to put the vote behind us and make the best progress possible with the existing resources.

Michael Zapantis Superintendent of Schools

Ashburnham-Westminster

Book sales organizer puts out the call for more books

To the Editor:

Once again I am writing to thank everyone who supported my book sale over the weekend of Downtown Day, June 30 - July 2. Because of the high volume of books sold and the $106.25 raised during the February sales, I was able to present the Bresnahan Scouting and Community Center with $589.80.

Usually I wait until it is closer to the date of my next sale to write --- but I need books! During the sale I sold 2,585 books. Of these 973 were children's books, leaving me with a total of about 350 children's books, few of these are picture books or books far early readers. I have just received some board books and a few early readers; however, if I am to have a good selection of children's books I must rely upon you for donations. I accept both soft and hard cover children's books.

I also continue to look for adult paperback fiction, craft books and cookbooks. I can only accept adult hard cover books in the craft and cookbook sections because I don't have the storage space far more that this.

Any new donations of adult paperback fiction, any children's books, cook and craft books can be left at the Senior Center for me.

My next sale will be in the Stevens Memorial Library at the end of October, beginning of November.

Louise Reid Ashburnham

Foundation formed

To the Editor:

I am writing to ask you to please place in you paper a notice that a memorial fund in Lt. Ryan Patrick Jones name has been started.

A foundation is being started to benefit many causes that will aid various needs in the community of Westminster and surrounding areas; help for Iraq War injured soldiers; and area community youth.

In addition to the Ryan Patrick Jones ROTC Scholarship other scholarships will be available to local area students.

Donations can be made to:

IC Credit Union

C/O Ryan Patrick Jones Memorial Fund

123 Main Street Westminster, MA 01473.

Kevin Elaine Jones

Westminster