Six‑hundred new students entered the three Maine High Schools in September of 1968! These additional students skyrocketed the total enrollment to 10,500. By 1971 this total will reach 11,630; and in 1974 13,152 students are expected to attend Maine Township High Schools. More students mean more teachers are needed unless overcrowding is desired.

This ever increasing pupil population drastically increases the need for educational facilities and materials. Teachers' salaries, which must be kept competitive in order to get the very best, coupled with the booming costs of instructional equipment may put the Maine High Schools $2.5 million in debt.

To counteract this overwhelming deficit, the Board of Education of Township High District No. 207 will hold an extremely important tax referendum on Saturday, December 14, 1968. The referendum proposes a $.21 tax levy increase in the district educational fund. This increase, it is hoped, will balance the budget and once again put the Maine schools on a cash only basis.

Maine schools drop deeper into debt every semester; thus the problem must be solved immediately. The deficit spending of the past cannot continue in the future, and it will not if the referendum vote of December 14 is passed!

The badly needed funds provided by the referendum will enable Maine West, along with East and South, to maintain their present high standard of educating you, the student.

If this vital referendum fails to pass, the superior educational program at the Maine schools will suffer a definite setback! When funds are not available for the finest teachers and equipment, quality education is impossible!

If the voters want the outstanding education to which they are accustomed to continue, then we urge them to support the December 14 referendum by spreading the word of its importance to other eligible voters.