The May 22 edition of The Day carried an advertisement regarding the building plan for elementary schools in East Lyme. It contained inaccurate and unfounded information. For instance, there is no plan for an “Elementary Mega School,” nor is there a proposed plan at this point to “develop the Niantic Center School property.”

The dollar figures presented ($90 million) were inaccurate. The correct project dollar amounts (both with and without state reimbursement) are present on our webpage (http://www.eastlymeschools.org/). The number presented in the advertisement far exceeds anything related to the proposed plan to renovate as new Lillie B. Haynes, and add refurbishments to Flanders Elementary School.

The elementary project Vision Committee and Design Steering Committee have vetted all possible elementary school scenarios over the years and supported the two-school concept as the best option for East Lyme. The Board of Education moved its recommendation forward and ultimately adopted the plan. Much effort has gone into the decision-making for our elementary schools. The committees that did extensive work on these projects, engaging in hours of discussion and listening to community input, should be commended.

There have been many questions asked about the projects and they are listed on our website with specific answers. I would encourage the East Lyme community to access the Elementary School Projects “Facts Sheet” that is also on our website. It provides the timeline and information pertaining to the project decisions.

East Lyme has three top performing elementary schools, not just one, as the advertisement from last week’s paper stated. We have three elementary schools that have been recognized by Connecticut as “Schools of Distinction.” Our district is filled with wonderful hardworking students and supportive parents. I find it disheartening any group would elevate one of our schools above the others.

We are one community, united together in supporting all children to excel and respect others. As superintendent, I will always promote the fact that we have excelling schools across our entire district, not because of a building structure itself, but because of the excellent staff and parents that support our most precious commodity.

I encourage any parent or community member to contact my office directly if you would ever like clarification or direct information pertaining to our proposed school projects. We as a district are working to maintain educational excellence in a fiscally responsible manner.

Jeffrey Newton is the superintendent of schools for East Lyme.