As a long-time resident of Cape Elizabeth and former state senator and state representative for our town, I strongly support the proposed $86.5 million school bond.

I urge fellow residents to trust in the rigorous process behind this proposal and to vote yes on the school bond. It’s a long overdue investment in our community and our future.

I am in favor of the school bond proposal, but I respect people who oppose it on rational grounds. What I do not respect is the misinformation on the yellow signs on our streets and on mailers.

We won’t make these issues go away just by rejecting plans to resolve them. We’ll just make them bigger and more costly. So when I see the No No signs, I know what to look for on my ballot June 10 — Yes. Yes.

Yes, there will be change and I believe, will provide many benefits. My hope is that enough voters will see this as a welcoming move for Cape Elizabeth.

Please join me in voting yes for schools and yes for the town center amendment changes.

Our independent owner’s rep, our architect, and 11 of 14 elected town officials all agree that new construction is the most strategic use of taxpayer funds, and that this project should be approved by voters.

The K–8 cafetorium causes scheduling issues I’ve never seen in any of the seven schools I’ve worked in… CEMS’ layout necessarily has long hallways that slow transitions and cause chronic tardiness, leading to significant lost learning time.

While I have no children or grandchildren, I am voting “YES”. I am also voting for the school budget and for the zoning amendments for the town center. This has been a great town to live in over many decades. We need to aspire to remain a welcoming community to raise children.

I understand that there is a 12% tax increase spread over 6 years with the school bond. I pay taxes here. I don’t want them to go up. That said, I also understand the compromise of receiving needed services and infrastructure that comes with paying taxes. And it’s a fact that we need to invest in a new middle school.

Do not be fooled by false promises of a cheaper “solution” or a simpler way out of investment. It is time to make a REAL investment. Please vote YES on the school bond.

When you vote, please consider what our students need to succeed on any of the myriad potential paths before them. We are their community, and it is our job to provide them with everything that comprises a supportive learning environment.

Prior to moving to Maine in 1998, we lived in 8 communities in New England and never encountered such a reluctance to provide quality facilities as we have seen in Cape.

Since 2017, Cape Elizabeth has been trying to address the real structural challenges facing our middle school—this is our third attempt in eight years, and I believe it’s time to move forward.

As a longtime Cape resident and senior citizen, I have been fortunate to watch my stepchildren and five grandchildren thrive in Cape schools.

Spaces matter. They tell our students and teachers how much we value them. New, bright, and spacious buildings convey that their education is worth prioritizing. This June, let's send the right message — one of support, value and vision for the future.

The school board is not hiding or deceiving the public on the additional $15m in repairs, as some suggest. Rather, they have thoroughly reviewed, cost analyzed and prioritized the NEEDS list.

Having spent my educational years in outdated, crowded buildings, I’ve seen first-hand how it affects our learning environment.

Leaky roofs, cramped spaces, and a confusing layout were constant challenges in the Pond Cove and Middle School

As senior citizens, we believe it is imperative that we support the next generation of students and give them a building that not only supports, but enhances their education and prepares them for a bright future.

If you find it challenging sorting through the noise, I suggest finding someone in the community that aligns most closely with your gut instincts, follow their lead, and vote with your heart, and hopefully on a June ballot.