The
comments in the blog posting “The blog” have started to digress to the school
override. I decided to write this blog for comments about the override and
school choice. The links below will provide some background information on
school choice in Massachusetts.
A
long time ago, I was a member of the Narragansett Regional School Committee.
One of the decisions the school committee had to vote on every year was school
choice. For many years, NRSD voted not to participate in school choice. This
meant students could leave our district or “choice out” but we did not accept
school choice students into the district. The school committee resisted school
choice for many years. Then one year we voted to accept limited school choice
students in certain high school grade levels.
That
vote opened the doors to school choice as it is now at Narragansett…all grade
levels, all the time. I resisted school choice for many reasons. I believe it
is a false and failed economic policy that pits school districts against each
other. Instead of focusing on the real issue in school funding – too many
unfunded mandates and an obsolete foundation budget calculation; attention is
focused on school districts trying to “recruit” or “steal” each others
students.
So
every year school districts put forth overrides to fill the ever-growing
funding gaps. School funding shifts the burden of education finance from the
state and federal level (whence all mandates come) onto the local property tax.
The local property tax can only support so much. All of the costs that continue
to spiral out of control for local homeowners and municipal governments also
spiral out of control for school districts.
If
I am going to vote and support an override, I want the money spent on “our“
kids; to support education for kids who live in Templeton and Phillipston.
Housing Boom/Economic
Recovery –
A
few BOS candidates commented on the town being prepared for the economic
recovery and impending housing recovery. An increase in the housing stock in
Templeton does not equate to more funding for the schools. Most homes in
Templeton have an average assessed value of about $2,300 in property taxes.
On
the school override website, it
lists the per pupil cost at NRSD as $11,738. Chapter 70 funding, does not make
up the difference between $2,300 and the $11,738. How many more school choice
students can district support, when you bring in $757,313 in school choice?
If
you look at Quabbin Regional School District, the district the state came in
and told the towns what they would pay for school funding, Quabbin has always
had a large number of school choice students. The state forced towns in the
Quabbin school district to pay more than they could afford with dire
consequences on the municipal side.
In
my opinion overrides are a short-term fix that do not address the underlying
problems in school funding. School funding that depends on overrides is
unsustainable.
My
opinions…supported by FACTS ! ! !
Julie
Farrell
I agree with you Julie! Well said! I think we may need this override but getting the budget in order so we don't need to do this again in the near future! Sounds like the whole towns budget needs to be organized!
ReplyDeleteIt has been a long time since I had a child in school, but I think I understand what Julie say about schools stealing kids from each other. When Monty Tech. was first opened, it was for the kid that did not do well, in a regular setting. Children went there to learn a skill that would help them earn a living later on. All that has changed, from what I understand. I guess it is hard to get into this school because their standards are so high. So what happens to the child who needs what they offer, but are now shut out?? I know nothing about the override, only that the superintendant told us last year she could not live without the override, but she did, very well. I am afraid there is a huge disconnect between the school department and the town. Are we going to loose our police department, and highway, because there is no reality check, on the table?? I have spoken more than once about the town being like a tree. The government of this town is the tree, and the rest of the branches are only as healthy as the tree, and that is not in good shape. Who's fault is it?? I would say, too many long term loans, lack of funding from the state and federal government, for things they mandate. What about all the money we have spent, with nothing to show for it. If you have been a reader of the blog, you know what I am saying. The financial wizard did not help matters, but it is our fault, because of to much trust, and not enough paying attention. It will take us some time to get back on our feet, and for the most part we are heading in the right direction. Now, the way I look at it, we will do right by the schools, if they do right by us. I know there is no place for the departments to cut. Our office people have suffered more than anyone else. What it will boil down to is not what you want, it is what you really need! It will end up being, what the people in this town can afford. I have a sinking feeling that the schools feel they have over a barrel, because of what happened in the Quabbin School District. I hope I am wrong! We will see. One thing I know for sure, we have three good candidates running for selectman. Make sure everyone you know votes. This is my opinion, Bev.
DeleteJulie wrote: " I believe it is a false and failed economic policy that pits school districts against each other."
ReplyDeletePhrased differently, this is one of the benefits of school choice. School choice offers an out to dissatisfied parents. Competition is good in private industry, because of human nature. When there is no competition, quality falls, customer service is bad. Look to Soviet Russia as an example.