Let me clarify the intent of my recent letters to the Monitor regarding the new middle school project. I am not opposed to the construction of the new school. Having been involved in the design and construction of schools throughout my professional life and having been in the existing building many times over the years, it is well past its sell by date. Nor do I have an opinion on which is the better site. I think there are many factors, both pro and con, for each site that are not being shared by the school board. And which of these factors most influenced the hurried, lame duck board vote is an unanswered question.

The board should be more open and transparent about the entire process. Which leads me to the issues addressed in those previous letters. Anyone who has any knowledge about construction realizes there are numerous additional costs associated with building at the Broken Ground site that would not occur, or at least be minimal, at the current site in the south end. I will not revisit them all now, but they include clearing the 20+ acres of forest, infrastructure upgrades, traffic impact and more. And then there is the realistic anticipation of state building aid. All I have ever advocated for is the school board to be open and transparent about the costs as well as the process. Maybe there would be less of an opposition if the taxpayers knew more.

Jerry Tepe

Concord