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Joshua Bridges of Bangor is a nurse and father of two children in the city’s schools.
I am an advanced practice nurse, a cancer survivor, and the parent of two children who attend schools on the west side of Bangor. For the past four years, my family has been part of the Fairmount School community.
I write this column with some hesitation, as it feels to me as though a decision regarding Fairmount’s future may have already been made, though it is not entirely clear to me by whom or through what process. As someone who typically prefers to remain in the background, I do not expect to have significant influence. However, after hearing concerns from fellow parents, teachers, and — most importantly — my children, I feel compelled to share my perspective.
After watching the most recent Bangor School Committee meeting, three issues stood out to me.
First, the statement that the asbestos issue at Fairmount was identified about eight weeks ago raises an important question: Why has this only now become a public discussion, when a final decision appears imminent within the next few weeks? Timely transparency is essential in building trust.
Second, the suggestion that parents should direct concerns to the Bangor City Council to advocate for consistent budget approval misses the mark. While I fully support adequately funding our schools, I do not support the idea of doing so without accountability or careful fiscal planning. More importantly, this suggestion does not address the immediate issue facing Fairmount.
Third, the relative silence I saw from some school committee members was concerning. If there is additional context or information not being shared publicly, that lack of visibility further underscores the communication gap. If not, it is difficult to understand the absence of more questions or discussion.
I do appreciate the recent effort to engage the community by presenting multiple options for feedback. However, it is challenging to evaluate these options without a clear understanding of the scope of the problem or the district’s short- and long-term goals.
Is the objective to return students to Fairmount as quickly as possible after necessary remediation? Or is this situation part of a broader plan to restructure how and where education is delivered in Bangor? If the latter is being considered, it should be stated openly so the community can engage honestly with that possibility.
At its core, the issue is one of communication. Change is inherently difficult, and effective leadership requires not only decision-making, but also education, transparency, and consensus-building. Trust and confidence in leadership depend on clear, open dialogue — and at present, that trust feels diminished to me.
A constructive starting point would be to provide the community with more detailed information about the extent of the asbestos issue. Many of us live and work in older buildings where asbestos is present but managed safely. What makes Fairmount’s situation different? What mitigation options have been considered? What are the projected costs and timelines associated with each path forward?
Every challenge presents an opportunity. This is a moment to rebuild trust, strengthen community engagement, and move forward together with clarity and purpose. That will only happen through open and honest communication. I hope school committee members and the superintendent will seize that opportunity.