Citizens for Needham Schools: Past Newsletters

At their July meeting, the Selectmen voted unanimously to place a $1.9 million operating override question on the November 4 ballot. The $1.9 million is needed to open the High Rock School in September 2009. This override was part of the High Rock renovation plan: a debt-exclusion override in April 2007 to build High Rock and an operating override in November 2008 to run High Rock. The $1.9 million will allow the town to finish the job of providing a supportive program for our middle-school students.

If the ballot question fails, cuts will be made at every level at every school for the 2009-2010 school year.

At their August 12 meeting, the Selectmen will discuss their level of support for the ballot question. A united, enthusiastic endorsement by the Selectmen can aid in passing the ballot question. Please let them know how you feel about the question by emailing them at sele ctmen@town.needham.ma.us.

You can also show your support for the question by attending the meeting; the Selectmen notice when a topic attracts a crowd. The meeting is Tuesday, August 12, at 7:30 in the Selectmen's room on the first floor of Town Hall.

For more information about the ballot question, please visit www.openhighrock.com.

State Funding Update

State Income Tax Repeal on the November Ballot

The November ballot will include a question to eliminate the state income tax. Approximately 40% of the state's tax revenues comes from the income tax. If this ballot question passes, towns will probably see large cuts in state funding, including state education funding. Citizens for Needham Schools encourages Needham voters to vote NO on this question, since its passage will make our budget difficulties even worse.

FY09 State Budget Contains Increases for Needham

Governor Patrick signed the state FY09 budget on July 13. The budget contains an increase in Chapter 70 money. As a result, Needham will see an increase in Chapter 70 money for the third year in a row, part of the Legislature's five-year plan to increase state funding of education. Citizens for Needham Schools thanks Representative Lida Harkins and Senator Scott Brown, as well as Stand for Children and The Suburban Coalition, for fighting for this plan.

Stand for Children and The Suburban Coalition fought hard for other increases in state education funding but were not successful. Citizens for Needham Schools urges all Needham taxpayers to subscribe to the Stand for Children e-newsletter at www.stand.org; Stand's Action Alerts will help all of us voice our support for state education funding.