To the editor:

Nobody likes being lied to or called a liar. Yet Westport’s financial obligations in funding their new school keep “changing” according to what we are told by unelected and elected officials, the media, and pro-school volunteer groups (example: “YES” for Westport, “Save Our Schools", social media). Consider this multiple-choice question:

The MSBA grant for Westport’s new combined middle/high school project is

a. 40 percent of the new school debt exclusion of $97 million.

b. 40 percent of all school project expenses

c. $37.4 million

d. 49.47 percent of eligible expenses approved by the MSBA, on condition that amount is less than the $37.4 million awarded to the Town of Westport

e. Whatever the media and School Building Committee can get the town to believe so they will vote “Yes” for more debt.

Is it be possible that Westport taxpayers were led down the wrong path to the ballot box on February 27, 2018, when they voted for a school price and town debt they believed was on the no-dollar amount referendum? Could the outcome of that election have been different if all voters knew the truth?  

The School Building Committee and design sub-committee are struggling to come in under the $75 million to stay within the allotted $97 million that both special town meeting and town election approved in early 2018 for the entire project, which is more than just a building.

Now that the Taj Mahal we were sold has to be reduced to a clunker we still can’t afford, officials better sharpen their pencils when it comes to cheapening our school project. I’m not asking for marketing or propaganda, only transparency and honesty, because an overage of $10 million in construction costs is only the beginning.

Marilyn Pease

Westport