HARDWICK – It is time to weigh in on the MVU district revote, April 7. It doesn’t surprise me that the board, without much consideration, moved to present the same budget that was defeated on Town Meeting Day.
This shows a lack of respect for the voters. Voters support education, but for multiple reasons couldn’t support this budget.
Since the budget was defeated, it seems that there are a few misrepresentations from the board to the public about the safety of the Woodbury School. The fire marshal’s report requires an inspection and a plan for addressing the issues in a submitted action plan. It appears that the plan was to be submitted by March 2. When would the required work need to be done? I would ask that the board comes to the April 2 information session with copies of the fire marshal report to share with the public.
It would seem to me that we are headed down a path where we may be forced to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair the building in Woodbury. The fire escape and elevator are the two things that are most glaring. We currently don’t have the money budgeted. Deficit spending wouldn’t be a grand plan.
The biggest elephant in the room is how much longer the state will allow the school to be open before we see forced consolidation. Hopefully we don’t spend upwards of a million dollars on a building that we will no longer use and that the MVU doesn’t own.
In Hardwick with the three budgets driving taxes, MVU, Hazen Union and a town budget, we will be looking at about another 10% tax increase. Last year many of us saw around a 20% increase. The Gazette reported this week that there would be $115 million added to the education fund, then the legislature said it may only be $52 million. The Gazette printed a more optimistic view of tax cost. (Gazette March 25). The state hasn’t decided yet where it will land on the amount to buy down the tax rate. We are back to planning on the worst case scenario hoping the state will add extra money to buy down the property tax rate.
I know that getting a budget passed for our schools is very important; however I suggest we vote “no” for this budget. We need clarity on the costs of repairs to the Woodbury School first and foremost and when these would need to be completed. I know that the board built this budget around the idea that the Woodbury School would be in operation for at least the 26-27 school year. The voters said no. I would remind voters we have until June 30 to get a school budget passed. I believe we have time for careful consideration of the two big impediments facing this budget: several hundred thousand dollars on building needs and the school consolidation question.
Remember you can vote now at the town clerk offices, or call for a mail in ballot, or go to the polls on April 7. As I stated earlier, I believe all of us want to support our kids’ education, but we need to be assured our tax dollars are being spent wisely.
