SalemNews.com, Salem, MA

Opinion

Discussion

The Salem News has a real-name policy for commenting. Users may sign in using the Facebook Connect tool above the comments field. Once your first comment is posted by a moderator, all future comments will post automatically. If you prefer not to use Facebook, send an e-mail with your comments user name (which must be the same as your real name), city or town, street address and daytime phone number to comments@salemnews.com. A staff member will contact you directly to confirm your identity. It may take a day or two before you can post comments. Only your user name will be public. All users are required to follow our rules for commenting, which can be found here.

comments powered by Disqus
February 26, 2009

Letter: Cost of Ham-Wen overrides $39 million and counting

To the editor:

I have been doing some research, along with several others in Hamilton, and have found that what the overrides to support the school budget have cost taxpayers over the past 10 years comes to a whopping $39 million; and it will continue to grown even higher, unless the voters vote against any future overrides.

The overrides are supposed to be used only for an emergency situation, but over the past 10 years they have been used strictly to fund the yearly school budget.

Did the school board ever state that we have an emergency and need extra funds this year to run the schools? Not really. They've said that in order to balance the budget they need an override; and each year taxpayers voted in the request.

Now that it is finally getting through to voters that each year's override adds on to the level of taxing and we pay each year for past overrides, and with the total now at over $39 million, it's time for voters in Hamilton to finally say enough. No more overrides to support the schools.

It's time for the school board to come up with a realistic budget that does not require an override. Check with the group Enough is Enough for more information on stopping overrides.

Leigh Keyser

Hamilton

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Opinion

Nelson Benton Twitter Updates
Follow me on Twitter
Salem News Opinion Poll
AP Video
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9 Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House' Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo. Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
Comments Tracker
Roll Call
Helium debate
Helium