Last November, this community voted to increase our property tax obligation to help fund a salary increase for the educators in our school district. I do not recall that the rhetoric was much more than a very sound and reasonable discussion about parity in wages.

Now our schools are closed for what seems to be a protest for the passage of this wage increase and the rhetoric for the closure seems to be completely unreasonable and fear-based.

This coming May 15, community members are urging us to again add to our property tax obligation not with reasoned and sound arguments, but with fear and urgency which seems similar the rhetoric about the walkout and school closure.

According to The Times, our population is approximately “25,000 residents.” The proposed budget is reported to be “$39.4 million, which includes the proposed $7 million tax increase.” This equates to about $1,550, or about a 17 percent, increase in spending per person, based on that census which seems reasonable.

So why is the rhetoric so dire? Why are the schools closed when they should be open? The citizens on good faith passed last year a property tax increase to prevent the very action that is occurring in our school district, so what will keep the incoming mayor from doing something similar?

I believe the increase in salary was comparable the proposed percentage increase to the town budget, and yet our schools are closed and the educators want more money. We passed an increase without understanding their priorities.

Perhaps the teachable moment that presents itself is this: The incoming mayor needs to set their priorities before a new tax is levied to prevent a redux of what is occurring within the school district.

Please vote, whatever that vote may be.