I’ve seen some override misinformation on social media, so I’d like to encourage everyone to learn as much as they can and fact-check so we can make the best decision for Newton on March 14.
Question #1 will let us avoid drastic cuts in teaching positions in our schools, giving our new superintendent a decent budget to work with. It will also let us put an addition onto the Horace Mann school and right-size core learning spaces, improve parks and fields, add more programming for seniors, plant and take care of more trees, and not slow down street improvement work. Expenses grow more than the 2.5% tax growth limits, so it makes sense that we need an override occasionally to keep up with expenses.
Questions #2 and #3 will fund the addition/renovation or rebuilds of Countryside and Franklin schools, which both desperately need major work. The state has decided to help us fund Countryside. These grants are very competitive, and most cities or towns receive one, but only rarely. This would be Newton’s third grant for a school building — Angier, Cabot, now Countryside — which shows how much the state agrees that Newton’s school buildings have urgent needs. There are more schools in Newton that need major work, but if Questions #2 and #3 don’t pass, it will be many years before we get to them. Every neighborhood in Newton deserves a modern school building.
If you have more questions, please visit Vote Yes for Newton or the city’s Override page, which includes a calculator that lets you know exactly how your tax bill may change. Many people find it’s less than they expected and feel it’s a good investment to keep the city strong and their property values up.
Lori Zinner
