The upcoming Lyme School District meeting (Thursday, March 6 at 6pm) is our annual opportunity to provide feedback to the hardworking representatives on the school board, to our SAU superintendent, and to our K–8 school principal.

So, I want to point out a worrying trend. Have you noticed that our SAU costs have tripled since 2022? With administration costs for the K–8 school increasing 11% over the same period, educational administration in Lyme will cost over $1 million during the coming year.

That is about $3,772 per student, or $1,250 per household. The number of students has not increased.

This graph shows the details:

I’m a lifetime fan of public education, and have always supported both our budget and building renovation projects. Lyme values education, and wants to provide the very best. The great reputation of our school (and high schools) show that we are willing to pay for it. But the trend over the past few years is simply not sustainable for a town that is not growing.

You will see here that our SAU cost about $200k in 2022. The budget that we will approve next week shows $600k for the SAU. Are you wondering how this has happened? I certainly am!

Our Town budget has increased by a comparatively restrained 11% over this period. Those who have paid attention to the budget process have seen first hand how hard the various Town boards and committees are working to keep costs under wraps, so that our property taxes don’t drive precious long-term residents away.

My hope is that going forward our School Board, along with the new superintendent and our principal, will recognize that this upward trend isn’t sustainable, will demonstrate real concern for our taxpayers, and will take clear steps to implement cost-saving reforms.

Jan Williams
jlwlyme@icloud.com