I am responding to your recent article about the Eldred School budget. The printed version of the events that transpired varied considerably from what actually happened. The board seemed to consider its work to be completed when a budget 1/100th of a percentage point below the tax cap was achieved. When I stated that any effort to identify efficiencies appeared to end when that goal was reached, this was not refuted by the board. The proposed budget was achieved primarily by one-time opportunities rather than sustainable savings. The article completely ignored that point and the issue was deflected by an attempt to make it a personal discussion about the board members’ tax bills compared to my own. Continued significant increases cannot be acceptable over time.

Unfortunately, my concern was dismissed and an effort was made to discredit me as someone unclear of the facts. The irony is that while the article correctly yet mysteriously listed my name and town when I didn’t provide it, other facts presented therein were at best a bit murky and others were simply incorrect.

Susan Wade

Highland Lake, NY