Betty Hoadley is a Concord resident and former board chairperson.

It seems to me that suggesting that East Concord residents are crying that their community is not well served is absolutely false. Residents everywhere from the Airport Road and the Branch Turnpike roadway to the areas closer to Loudon Road to Mountain and Shaker Roads no doubt made a conscious choice to live where they do.

They enjoy the comfortable and friendly neighborhoods. They enjoy Keach Park and Merrill Park. They take advantage of nearby woody walking trails. They can enjoy the many events at the ice arena. The Citywide Community Center has dozens of program offerings. They have many restaurants and even fast food shops.

The big desire for New Americans and others with transportation challenges, though, is their hope for an improved transportation system. Why do some school board members insist that a middle school located in East Concord will somehow magically change lives and the quality of life for those who live east of the river?

The superintendent of schools has opined that students in grades six, seven and eight will get a “better education” with the middle school located in the Broken Ground area. Have you heard her say how and why that might occur? Have you heard any board member who supported the BG site give a reason supported by the district’s Strategic Plan? Or give a succinct reason at all?

It is estimated that it will take two additional large buses to transport the many students from the west of the river to the east side. Now that the Deerfield contract has changed, the high school will have space for more students of high school age who move to Concord.

The current version of the capacity of the new middle school also shows ample space for new middle school students. Universal preschool is still a dream and needs no space now. When it does become a reality, the facilities required are very different and less extensive than elementary buildings.

Is it right to saddle current taxpayers for infrastructure that is still years from true need? Shouldn’t the developers of these grand plans pay for the impact of those plans?

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As you can see, there are still many serious questions surrounding the proposal to locate the new middle school in the Broken Ground area.

The taxpayers will be the ones who foot the bill for this facility. If you are a taxpayer, then join the ones who are looking for a safe and sound building (and grounds) at a reasonable price. It’s your pocketbook, too.