The School Budget
Dear Friends and Neighbors:
As a result of recent and unanticipated increases in the cost and number of students in out-of-District Special Education placements and a less than 1% increase in State Aid for Education, Holliston Schools are faced with an extraordinary budget gap of nearly $1 million. The School Committee cannot close this gap without making significant cuts to teacher positions, programs, and offerings throughout the District.
While the School Committee continues to work with the Finance Committee to identify additional funding, it is clear that the town does not have the resources required to address this challenge.
Consequently, the School Committee reluctantly agreed at their meeting on March 19, 2015 that passing an override appears to be the only option in order to maintain the high quality education that the community expects for the students of Holliston.
As an independent citizen who values education in our town, I am asking you to sign this e-petition. Your "signature" will ONLY help ensure that the question about the override goes on the ballot; it is NOT a "YES" or "NO" vote. Please click here to see the petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/support-holliston
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of your participation in this process. I encourage you to share this email and link with as many friends as you can. The School Committee is meeting tonight (Monday) at 7:00 in the HS Library to finalize the cut list and the meeting is open to all. It is also being taped by HCAT.
Whether you support an override or not, as a citizen you should be able to vote on it. But the Board of Selectmen have to vote to put it on the ballot for you to exercise your right. That is what signing this petition means. Thank you!
I moved to this town and pay the high taxes for the school system. I've been asked in the last few weeks if I intend on letting my child go to Holliston high or if I'm going to look for private alternatives. I'm afraid Holliston has become one if those towns and worry that instead of buying computers for each high school kid to use we should update our teaching in general. I agree with Brian let's look at what we are teaching and who is teaching! We need to realize that just because folks live here our schools are. It their first choice
Concerned | 2015-04-02 11:20:42
Public education is basically funded by the town's property tax, which is regressive - public education should be funded out of general state and federal revenues - it should not matter if you live in Holliston, Wellesley, Dover or Holyoke, Lynn or Fitchburg, everyone deserves a quality and equal education.
Lee DeSorgher | 2015-03-31 09:01:57
I was grateful to spend twelve years in Holliston Public Schools, but spending more money is not going to help. There are plenty of ineffective classes/teachers that could be cut, but exist in perpetuity. When I last attended HHS in 2012 the business department was a joke and drama courses tended to be three-quarters empty. I think it's pathetic the school committee can't balance its budget after all these years. If you have to cut a few classes or teachers, so be it, but get on with it and stop wasting the taxpayer's money and the voter's time.
Brian | 2015-03-30 20:02:03
Then comes the next year and yet another year ??? Us old folks can barely make it now, we paid for our kids, our grand kids and now great grand kids. Somewhere along the line we have to learn how to teach the young without all the "bells and whistles"
aging taxpayer | 2015-03-30 17:05:56
Any way we can lower Dr Brad Jacksons Salary?
Mike Honcho | 2015-03-30 16:26:36
I know there are privacy concerns involved, but it would be helpful to understand what this extra $1 is for. (And I don't mean the list of things that will get cut if it's not funded) I'd also be interested to understand the longer term cost outlook. How many years would this extra money be needed? As I understand it, an override is a permanent tax increase.
Mark | 2015-03-30 16:09:31