In a very short time we will be asked to raise our taxes by hundreds of dollars a year to support the district school budget. Is this a million dollar heist or necessary spending to maintain the education of our children?
We have our opinion . . . We are against it! . . . How do you feel?
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NOTE: We have dropped “Comment Moderation”. You can now post directly to the blog. This will allow more of a dialog without the delay. If it gets out of hand with libel or bad language we will put it back.
HG
57 comments:
I have questions on some of the numbers that have been thrown around. Especially where school choice is concerned.We hear it is a 600,000 dollar profit center. State law currently mandates a maximum fee of 5000 per student. It appears we are paying more than that to educate them (Upton selectwoman quotes 7000 in yesterday's MDN, I have read 5700 in blogs.)Then, of course,we are listed as one of the lower per student expenditures in the state.
Something does not jive.
maybe it's time for a new life skills course to be added. "Living Within a Budget" Use the school budget as a teaching model of what not to do. I'm serious, I wish I had it when I was in school.
Riff………I answered your question on choice on Kevin’s blog since you posted it there, maybe not to your satisfaction, but I tried.
As to the comment on “living within a budget”, the school district always lives within their budget. Once it is approved we have never come back asking for more, not once. If you don’t want us to propose a budget for approval, or just design our services based solely on the minimum available, that’s another story. The process is, we propose a budget to FinCom, they recommend their version, and we put it to the voters. I’ll guess you’re going to vote no, as is your choice, but it’s a decision all the voters in both towns need to make. We’ve provided our vision for the school district, and it’s to maintain and improve what we do. If the voters determine we need to do less, we will, and we won’t be coming back to ask for more. To me, “living within a budget” is just that.
HG………the tax increase is around $190 a year, not insignificant, but I wouldn’t describe is as hundreds of dollars.
I agree that it is the job of the administration to continuously push the envelope with regard to continuous improvement - I would be leery of an administration that was complacent.
As voters, we are obligated to gather as much information as possible and make decisions as to whether or not to approve increases.
However, although I realize that $190 can be viewed as insignificant to some, I am concerned with our ever-increasing taxes and view ANY increase as significant - it is what it is, but the result is higher taxes, which should be respected and not trivialized.
Jay...
The $190 figure is for a median home, half pay more, half pay less.
If your home is assessed for 500K it is hundreds more.
Our taxes are up 70% in this new century... how about you?
HG
To the poster who said they wished they had a course in keeping to a budget I am happy to let you know that there is such a course being taught right now at Nipmuc. It is called CAA, Current American Affairs and encompasses everything from civics, i.e. basic politics, voting and elections, current events etc. It also has an emphasis on life skills, including banking, lending, budgeting etc. heck my kids had to "buy a car". Not only that they learned how to check the oil and tires. A visit to prison and why you want to stay on the good side of the law is also taught. You see practical skills are being taught to those who care enough to pay attention. Another good reason to support our schools. They are doing an excellent job with the limited resources they have. I have yet to hear any of the nay sayers comment on the quality of the education we as a town provide.
I am delighted to hear about the course of which I was previously unaware. They are doing an excellent job with the "limited" resources. But therein lies the rub. You felt the need to stick "limited" in there as if there should not be any limits. And thats where and why we have a problem.
I agree - limits are part of life; we all have to struggle to work with what we have, some are better at it than others.
There should be limits to every aspect of government. Throwing out the fear of diluting or reducing our education is not a fair argument. The effectiveness of education also depends upon the parents - it doesn't matter how much money you throw at education, if the parents aren't supportive or involved, then the children suffer and education takes the blame.
Educators seem to exploit the situation by indicating that more money will solve the problem - it's not always that easy.
Some would say that some of those "life skills" are things that are taught with good parenting.
Some would say that some of those "life skills" are things that are taught with good parenting.
Some would say that some of those "life skills" are things that are taught with good parenting.
Ah, you see. Parents aren't always doing their part. In fact they are teaching their children less and less.
Good point. It deserved 3 postings albeit accidentally. Parents should assume the role of teaching good economic practice, religous upbringing (if so desired)and moral and ethical behavior role models.
it seems these days that parents expect the schools to do everything including feed and dress the little ones and teach morals to the older ones. Considering the ever widening scope of the expectations I can see where an increase in the budget might be warranted.
As a parent and taxpayer, I have trouble with your reasoning. I do not deny that these are societal realities, but our taxes should not have to go up because of poor parenting.
Bottom line is, our school system has never been better and that the services provided are certainly more than adequate to produce competent and educated citizens.
Unfortunately, some parents just don't get it and that's not something into which I'm willing to invest.
My understanding is that this money is not needed as the state monies came in higher than expected and exceed the school's request.
So I'll vote no too.
First….to Hg,
A $500,000 home will pay $239, not hundreds more. Now add in the 2 ½ increase and it will be more, but not because of the override.
To Diogenes Searching,
Chapter 70 money may come in higher than the figure was had available when the budget was proposed. We won’t know the final number until July. If it’s higher we will adjust the override down to reflect those final numbers, but we can’t do that until we have them. Once the state finishes with their budget and it’s all approved, if our override exceeds what we need we will come back to the town requesting an underride to make the adjustment. In the end you will only pay for what we need. You may still vote no, but don’t do it because you think the state is going to make up the difference. Right now the Senate number is about $135,000 above what we used, Mendon’s share of that is $63,000, far short of the $421,000 we are looking for.
diogenes Searching said...
My understanding is that this money is not needed as the state monies came in higher than expected and exceed the school's request.
So I'll vote no too.
Where did you hear that ???
From the MDN yesterday:
UPTON -- The town’s school system could see an added $1 million next year under the state Senate’s budget proposal, Sen. Edward Augustus told selectmen last night in a meeting that focused on fiscal matters.
The Worcester Democrat also told officials the town could receive up to $50,000 in matching state money for library renovations depending on how much the town raises.
Augustus told the board that Chapter 70 money, local aid earmarked for school districts, will increase from $9.98 million to $11.1 million in the 2007 budget proposed by the Senate.
"The good news is this has survived the Senate budget process and we’re one step closer to having this budget in place," said Augustus.
Board members also learned that the Senate has proposed changes to the funding formula for the first time in 13 years.
Selectman Marsha Paul said the state needs to accommodate schools such as Mendon/Upton Regional High School that accept students from other districts and receive less money than the cost of educating the student.
"The money we get from other schools is usually around $5,000 and our per-pupil average is higher, around $7,000," she said.
Augustus said the Senate proposed to change the formula so a town’s median income is weighed as heavily as its property values in an effort to make the distribution more equitable. In some towns, especially on the Cape, property values have significantly outpaced the wages earned by the people living in the town.
Bottom line is that it is still up in the air as to what the state will kick in, and probably be so up until the time of the vote. Experience in my town is that it has generally fallen short of expectations and figures touted by local politicians when the figures are finalized. Don't rely on specious projections when making up your mind. Vote with the figures and the numbers that you have and that you feel you can rely on.
The CAA course at Nipmuc is nothing more than left wing indoctrination. For several years the prime focus of the course and it's instructor has been "Bush Bashing".
If the proposed override will enhance funding of this course, just send the money to the Democratic National Committee.
Those damn bleeding heart liberals. Responsible for all our problems.
If it is Current American Affairs
how can they not bash Bush?
Another voice from the hate America first crowd. Education is not "What to think" but rather "How to think".
Not on my dime thank you. My vote is no.
Most high schools in this area have a CAA course. Mendon-Upton is not offering something special here, it's pretty standard. It's purpose is to prepare our kids for the "real world". Not something that would be considered over and above your average high school preparedness course.
I didn't say the CAA course was anything special. You are correct it is pretty standard among area schools.
According to several students who have taken CAA at Nipmuc over the last several years it's a puff course with a heavy left wing tilt.
Weed out some of the puff and you may not need a million dollar override.
So if the state kicks in more than the overide asked for, will the school give back the money? Is that an "underride"?
Correct. It's actually part of the proposition 2 1/2 legislation, and will have to be done through both a town meeting vote and a ballot vote.
I would be curious to know why the Finance Committee unanimously voiced their objection to this override. This is why we have a finance committee, isn't it? To make recommendations? Again and again we see the schools tugging at the heart strings of the citizens w/regards to prop 2 1/2....."The quality of education will suffer. This override is needed to sufficiently educate your children." I find it hard to believe that things would be that dramtically changed on a daily basis in the school if this is not approved. Will education really suffer that much if a class has 28 students in it as opposed to 25? Taxes may rise $190/yr, but look out for the Public Safety Building soon thereafter..that may be another $200/yr or more. Not everyone in Mendon lives in a $600,000 home and can afford the extra $190/yr. My personal budget is already broken and I can't just go to the money tree for more.....I vote NO.
CAA is a class featuring an open forum for discussion of events. If the class were to have a liberal tilt it would be a reflection of the students in the class not the instructor. Open discussion is a life skill that is sorely needed in this town. You show by your posting that you have no use for the other point of view. Perhaps you would like to audit the class. My children found the class to be very helpful.
I disagree in that teachers actually do have an agenda or opinion - often expressed in these situations. I am a graduate from Nipmuc - 1981 - and can remember some pretty outlandish opinions expressed by the instructors during "open forum" discussions. Don't be naive to think that teachers don't take the opportunity to exploit a captive audience. Students may or may not express their own opinions, based on the demeanor of the instructor.
I also think that the parents should be more proactive in the teaching of life skills.
I vote NO!
For less than a cup of coffee a day?
To all involved here, you live in a small town that means nothing in the grand scheme of anything. If you had any love for the young residents of this town you would support anything that could help them to get an education and get away from this tiny nowhere place on the back of the map.
That could be the most ignorant statement I have ever read here.
Small town grand schemer,
You make it sound like all the kids are doomed to work at the local mill for the rest of their lives. If you live here and have kids just move. That will guarantee them a chance wether the override passes or not .
The kids will have a chance to get out of this town no matter what happens with the override. I have lived in different places around the world as well as this country, but I came back to New England because this is were I wanted my kids to grow up, and there is something that can be said for a small town. To each his own but I appreciate were I am and am always willing to work to make it better. So if you feel that this is a deadend town you can leave it, its not that hard.
"If you had any love for the young residents of this town you would support anything..."
Nice try with the guilt thing.
You must think we are all farmers. Ever heard of common sense? Get some and drop the guilt thing, It's old.
HG
I think the last mill closed in 1980.. so your a little late. Also heard we are having another town mtg, gee I wonder who wants more money????
If their is a call for more safety money then we have a problem Houston. The blank checkbook needs to be closed.
If you think the overide won't make a difference then take a look at what is going on in Uxbridge. They were a National Blue Ribbon school district just 10 or so years ago. After the voters refused their overides and new buildings they have since lost their acredidation which is why we have so many Uxbridge high schoolers choicing in to Nipmuc.
One more point. Mr. Gardens, I know you will never ever get sick in your life, but hey, if you do remember the person taking care of you 10 years from now is the kid we are educating. The voters that will make the decisions about this country's wellbeing are the kids we are educating now. I'm guessing your education may have failed you in some way. That's a pity because well educated people tend to see the value in a fine education. I and my family, vote yes!
We are all paying for overrides for the schools all ready. Don't make it sound like we don't go to bat for the school. If this override fails it will present nothing like the Uxbridge scenario.
I would ask the people who characterize the overide as a heist to get involved. Reveiw the numbers. Find the fat if you can. The fincom reviews the budget in a fairly basic way. The budget process is a long one that starts as "wish lists" and eventually gets pared down to what can we live with. I didn't know what a Literacy specialist does until I asked and I found out that they give special instruction to the kids who are struggling with reading. If these kids are helped early enough they will have a chance at keeping up. It is all about opportunity. I guess you have to ask yourself if it is our responsibiity to give every kid a shot. I think it is. I vote yes.
The override will pay for the return of the literary specialists.
If we pay for a teacher for every five kids imagine what our MCAS results could be( and the value of my house)
The last post obviously does not have a child that benefits from such instruction. Without this help my nephew would not have made it through the third grade. Like "I would ask..." stated earlier, you don't understand what is being done until you get involved.
"The fincom reviews the budget in a fairly basic way. The budget process is a long one that starts as "wish lists" and eventually gets pared down to what can we live with."
Isn't that how it should be? That's is why we have a fincom. We all admit it is a good school system. What we don't agree on is more money will make it better and that now is the time to spend more money.
MFEMFEMF did not lose their accreditation.The townies decided to overrule the nothing's too good for my child crowd. It's too bad the school depts. in this state do not care about other people in these small towns that are slowly getting taxed out of a place to live. There is never an end to the needs of the school depts. MFEMFEMF will pay dearly for postponing the new school. The town of Mendon has it's new schools, but it's still not enough. It has repeatedly gotten overrides and still wants more. The infrastructure of Mendon needs serious help. I say vote no. The "poor children" can forego this one.
The town referred to in the previous post is MFEMFEMF
MFEMFEMF?
Uxbridge has 85% of their graduates going to college.
To Jay Byer RE: "We’ve provided our vision for the school district, and it’s to maintain and improve what we do. If the voters determine we need to do less, we will, and we won’t be coming back to ask for more. To me, “living within a budget” is just that."
This is suggesting that those in charge of the budget are shooting for the moon and if it goes through their wish is granted. Yet, if the voters decide that less should be done, this is acceptable also? This doesn't sound all that criticial to me. If you feel that living within a budget is just that, the issue of the override wouldn't have made the ballot. Rather, you would be working within your budget.
Here is what I was responding to:
Anonymous said...
“maybe it's time for a new life skills course to be added.”Living within a Budget" Use the school budget as a teaching model of what not to do. I'm serious; I wish I had it when I was in school.”
The notion that the school district does not live within their budget implies that once our budget is approved we continually come back to the town asking for more. My point was we don’t do that, and once this issue is decided we will not come back asking for more. It has no bearing on the need for funding, the importance of approval of this override, or as you state, shooting for the moon. Shooting for the moon would be asking for funding for everything the administrators ask for with their first proposal to the school committee on the budget. This usually consists of the “dream scenario”, and what we propose to the towns is always far less. Some would like us to list these reductions from that first proposal as cuts, but you can’t refer to something as a cut if you never had it. Our budget has not been approved yet, and once the votes are cast on Monday we will live within that amount.
I think I have highlighted the need for additional funding enough that most readers of the blogs to understand the issue. Whether they agree and support the override will be decided on Monday.
The MDN says both towns are voting at Nipmuc Regional in Upton today June 12th. Is that true? If so, Why is the Mendon vote in another town?
Is this just typical MDN reporting?
As ususal the information is incorrect in the paper
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