In Yesterdays News: Winchendon to vote on school override, library renovations Katie Landeck News Staff Writer #WINCHENDON — This Saturday, Winchendon voters will have the chance to decide the fate of the school budget and Beals Memorial Library renovations during a special election from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Murdock Senior Center. By far, the most controversial question on the ballot is a $300,000 Proposition 2 1/2 tax override to fund structural deficits in the school budget. The override was a plan hatched between the Board of Selectmen and School Committee at their joint meeting in April, and endorsed by the Finance Committee. If passed, the override would hike taxes about $50 a year for someone with a home valued at $100,000. Previous school-related overrides have failed at the ballot, according to officials. This time, however, many people are optimistic, despite what some have called minimal campaigning. “It’s a no brainer,” said School Committee member Susan Burdsall. “It’s something all of Winchendon needs right now, not just the school.” According to state officials, the town has underfunded the schools by more than $300,000 over the last two years, although Town Manager James Kreidler insists the numbers are incorrect. If the state verifies the shortage, the town will be required to pay the school the deficit in excess of net school spending, regardless of whether the override passes. At town meeting, residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of the override, particularly after attendees learned that Winchendon spends more per pupil on students who opt to use School Choice to attend other schools outside of the district. “That’s just not right,” said parent Sue Polcari, who has been vocal in her support of the Winchendon School District. “It seems like a struggle every year to get support,” Ms. Polcari said. “And it’s a tiring fighting every year not just for financial support, but for pride.” The override is expected to help ameliorate the school’s financial struggles for years to come, as Mr. Kreidler has pledged funds to the schools in excess of net school spending moving forward, although there is no legal requirement to do so. School Committee Chairman Michael Niles said that if the override fails, the schools will be faced with cutting positions and services next year, however he noted that the School Committee would try to minimize the impact on students. Several positions are slated to be eliminated, regardless of whether the override passes. Also on the impending ballot is a $300,000 Proposition 2 1/2 debt exclusion to fund accessibility upgrades to the library, a project in the works since 1992. Over 20 years, the funds would pay a portion of the $2.2 million project, according to Library Director Julia Cardinal. The remainder will be paid for through a donation, a Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation grant, and the general government budget. The average community in Massachusetts spends $26 per capita on their library, while Winchendon spends $17 per capita, according to Ms. Cardinal. In a debt exclusion, taxes go up for the length of time it takes to pay for a certain project, then are returned to what they otherwise would have been. The two five-year debt exclusions up for consideration will fund a new dump truck for the Highway Department and a generator for Toy Town Elementary School. In total, taxes of a resident with a $100,000 valued home would increase by roughly $55 a year if everything passes, according to Mr. Kreidler. This July, Winchendon taxpayers will start paying for the ladder truck and police station approved last spring.
Posted on: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 17:36:57 +0000
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