Letter: Jaffrey officials behaved poorly

I wish I had the authority to apologize to the entire Jaffrey-Rindge Cooperative School District community on behalf of the Jaffrey town government’s delegation that attended the budget hearing on Jan. 12. I believe this delegation behaved in a combative, rude, unprofessional and disrespectful manner toward everyone in attendance.  Some members of this delegation are former school board members. They seem to be struck with amnesia about the roles they have played in the past which have contributed to the current budget and facilities issues.

After delivering many previous contentious, baiting and derisive comments, each delegate gave a public comment, some stating their issues with apparent contempt, and then immediately left the hearing. Like petulant children, they chose drama over dialogue.

Following their departure, the board thoughtfully discussed the concerns raised, including funding the creation of a new capital improvement plan, creating a new capital improvement fund and the known upcoming expenses. They also discussed that a capital plan has not been fully developed because of the strong belief that the town will not support the increase in funding such a plan requires. But the Jaffrey delegation did not hear any of that. Instead, they threw a temper tantrum. They disrespected the school district, the administration, the staff, the school board, the learners and ultimately the town’s people they represent by not taking part in constructive discourse.

I can’t apologize for them, but I can express my gratitude to the school board, its committees and the administration for all their hard work creating a budget to serve the community in the best possible way in the coming year.

Leslie McLean

Jaffrey

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