As chair of the Mt. Abraham Renovation Committee, I’d like to thank Mr. Lynn for devoting so much of his last few editorials to the renovation discussion. The committee appreciates the effort to bring attention to this important work. Unfortunately, some of the information, especially dates, contained in those editorials have been incorrect.
First, members of the 5-towns have always been welcome to attend meetings and lend their opinions. Notices about upcoming renovation meetings have appeared on the district website, all 5-town Front Porch Forums, Facebook and in the Addison Independent along with word-of-mouth. I’m not sure what more the committee could have done to make people aware of meeting dates and that their input was valued.
“Recognizing the need to have the upcoming discussion be about reducing the bond to an acceptable cost, the board posted a line-item break-out of the $36.6 million project at anesu.org: Go to Mt. Abe renovation project 2017 and click on Link to Architect’s proposal 2017,” Mr. Lynn states in his editorial. This is not something that has recently been added to the site — it’s been available since August, 2017. It was made available as soon as the minutes from the Aug. 7, 2017, Renovation Committee meeting were posted.
The calendar for all meetings is also available at anesu.org — click on Board Meetings Calendar. By checking that calendar you can see that there aren’t any board meetings scheduled for Dec. 1 or 15 as stated in Mr. Lynn’s editorial, so please don’t plan on attending on those dates. The next Mt. Abraham Board meeting is scheduled for Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at Mt. Abraham. You’ll also find the Renovation Committee date(s) listed on that calendar.
Our largest battle has been engaging the public — that’s true. Our second-largest battle has been misinformation, and we’d hope that the Addison Independent would help distribute the facts and not contribute to misinformation with inaccurate dates and information in editorial pieces. Also, no re-vote date has even been discussed, let alone decided. Please allow the committee to do its work without making assumptions in advance.
The Renovation Committee is meeting on Monday, Nov. 27, at 6 p.m. in the large cafeteria at Mt. Abraham. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. The committee hopes to see, and hear, you there.
Kris Pearsall
Mount Abe School Board Member
Bristol