As both a teacher in the Kearsarge district and a mother of children who will attend KRES-NL in the coming years, I am deeply concerned about the proposed spending cap for our district. While fiscal responsibility is important, this cap could severely limit our ability to provide the resources and support that our students need to succeed. One of my biggest concerns is that such a cap could lead to the elimination of teachers and support staff, which would be harmful to our students. Reducing the number of educators in the classroom only increases class sizes and diminishes the individual attention our children require.

In my own experience, small class sizes and dedicated teachers are key to student success, and losing teachers would have a lasting negative impact on both academic outcomes and student well-being. Our schools are already under strain, and a spending cap would only worsen the situation, especially for those schools in underserved communities. We need flexibility in our funding to ensure that all students have access to the support they need to thrive. I urge the community to vote no on Jan. 4. Together we can find a way to prioritize both fiscal responsibility and the quality of education for every child in our district. A spending cap is not the way.

Jen Cross

New London