We need to pass an override in Templeton

To the Editor: 8/30/2013

Lori Mattson Templeton To the Editor: I would like to thank the voting members of Phillipston and Templeton for advocating, supporting and eventually passing the Narragansett Regional School District’s FY14 budget. Although it was a very long, drawn out process, proving stressful for everyone involved, it was a legal process that the School Committee had the right to choose. There was no hidden agenda, no malicious plans and no schemes. Doing what’s best and just for the students attending NRSD is what’s right. It is unfortunate the town of Templeton is so far off on finances and priorities. The joint town meeting was eye opening as both a selectmen and a finance committee member from Phillipston proudly made statements supporting education for all students. It was touching to hear one Phillipston resident state that she was torn as to how she would vote knowing that her yes vote could negatively impact so many Templeton residents.  Then we had Templeton residents opposing the budget, not because they’re “against education,” but because they have been told the consequences of cuts to town services if the budget passed. One resident went so far as to address the voters twice with the same sentiment because she didn’t think those in attendance understood her point the first time. We heard how the town of Templeton would face “devastating cuts” if the NRSD budget was passed. Did anyone think of the devastating cuts the school would have to make if that budget was not passed? It would be just as devastating. I read a comment from a Templeton resident saying that people move to Templeton for the low taxes, not the schools. Really? That’s not why my family moved here 13 years ago. If that were a true statement, the school district’s school choice students coming to Narragansett should be low or zero. Believe it or not, we want school choice students. We want our schools to be fabulous so we don’t lose our resident students to other schools. School choice students coming into our district brought in approximately $860,000 last year. Narragansett students leaving the district cost the district approximately $670,000 last year. Why would anyone purposely make devastating cuts to the biggest business in town and risk losing our own students, thus costing the district more, while also turning away revenue? Personally, I am fed up with the constant controversy between the school supporters and the town supporters. The school budget is part of the town budget just like the highway, police and fire departments are. It’s not its own budget. This financial crisis Templeton is faced with is not a school issue, it’s a town issue. The town cannot cover its budget. It is obvious the town needs more income, either by way of big business or override. We must accommodate for inflation instead of cutting everything around it. Only so much can be cut in each department before it becomes devastating to all involved. I believe Templeton is at this point. Templeton has cut back so much that we have elected town officials who are, for lack of a better word, volunteering their time on these boards and committees because a recommendation was made two years ago to cut salaries, stipends, hours and positions in an effort not to raise taxes. How did that help? Look where we are today because of it. I believe our selectmen must  lead our town, not the advisory board. There have been ignorant and distasteful comments made since the passing of the school budget and it must come to an end. The school really needed the funding it asked for, which is why the school committee went through the process it did. Likewise, the town is in need of funding and the community must be willing to step up and increase the revenue. We need to take back our town, put pride back into our communities and pass an override for Templeton, which is long overdue. Lori Mattson Templeton