By Rosalie Goldberg and Sam Sharon
In order to accommodate the needs of a growing student body, Mayor Setti Warren has proposed an $11.4 million tax override that would raise taxes to alleviate overcrowding and replace two elementary schools, among other projects.
In 2008, voters rejected a $12 million tax override. The soundly-defeated override of 2008 led to administrative layoffs and other budget cuts, caused in part by the recession and the new $200 million Newton North High School.
Newton residents will vote on three separate tax questions on Tuesday, March 12. If the first passes, the money from the override will fund projects in the schools, public works, police and fire departments, providing money for space, teachers, and upkeep of roads and sidewalks.
The second and third measures will include two debt exclusion overrides, covering the cost of rebuilding the 94-year-old Angier Elementary School and the 84-year-old Cabot Elementary, respectively.
In a message to the City of Newton, Warren said that both elementary schools are “in shockingly poor condition and [are] inadequately supported by aging, failing systems. Your money would go toward a new school that would accommodate more children.”
Enrollment has increased by more than 1,000 students in the last ten years, motivating Warren to propose the new overrides.
Many South teachers say they would be thrilled with a larger budget, but some think the city should raise even more funds for education.
“I think we need more money than the override calls for,” history teacher Jamie Rinaldi said. “[The] Newton [Public] Schools has long had a reputation for academic excellence, which is the result of continual investment by the community.
“In order to maintain this excellence, we must maintain the investment.”
If passed, the override will also pay for new teachers, reducing class sizes in schools. Newton schools struggle with large classes and overextended teacher, both of which would be somewhat alleviated by the override.
South’s library will be at a loss if the override does not pass. Because of large class sizes and no substitutes, more people come into the library when they have a cancelled class, making space and seating in this area an issue.
“We need more resources, we need more space,” librarian Marnie Bolstad said. “Right now our furniture is starting to fall apart because of the continued use. The whole library’s starting to look tired because it’s so well-used.”
Although many would like see improvements to Newton schools, others worry about the tax hike. Warren’s proposal will increase the tax bill for the median assessed home in Newton by $343 a year.
“The mayor is asking the citizens of Newton to vote to pass three overrides to build two new schools, not to mention that we just built the most expensive high school in the state, and to renovate several other schools,” resident Anne Del Vecchino wrote recently in the Newton Tab.
“Does anyone wonder what happens to the money we already pay in taxes? It certainly does not go into maintaining our buildings!”
Warren concluded his statement by emphasizing the importance of education to Newton’s success.
“The three ballot questions are essential components of one unified effort to help Newton meet its full potential,” Warren said. “Please join me in voting yes on all three questions so that together, we can build Newton’s future.”
