Jack Carty

To the editor,

Lack of interest and voter apathy for the Inter-Lakes School District Meeting held last Wednesday resulted in a turnout that did not represent population demographics from the Towns of Meredith, Center Harbor, and Sandwich. Neither was there reasonable representation of all economic groups, particularly those who may be struggling.

But that was the will of the people meeting as the District legislative body on that particular night. The net result was an increase of 8-percent in the taxes to be raised for the fiscal year starting on July 1, 2010. The discussions that night and the monies funded for the operation of the school are the instructions to the school board to be carried out during the coming school year.

There is one more opportunity for the people of Meredith, Center Harbor, and Sandwich to express their will. That is the election this coming Tuesday.

I am a fiscal conservative and am keenly aware of the current economic problems here. We have a sizable number of parents in the district who need assistance to buy their children lunch. I supported the school board’s initial proposed budget that increased by only 1.25-percent. My opponent has suggested that 5-percent would be a good starting place. We wound up with a budget increase of $1,231,066 (6.5-percent). When you factor in decreased anticipated revenues to offset this increase, the bottom line of assessment increase will come to 8-percent.

For the past six years, the last four as chairman of the board, I have worked hard to help create a robust, vibrant school system that provides the maximum opportunity for students to learn and excel. We have a New Hampshire Elementary School of the Year award, a current 80-percent rate for seniors applying for college, private-public partnerships, an athletic field and track that is the envy of the region, low debt, and relations with our unions that are built on mutual respect, not contention. I have contributed to each of these.

There is a very clear choice between candidates for the Meredith representative on the school board. Whoever your preference, please turn out and vote!

Jack Carty

Meredith