On June 3, we have the opportunity to vote for a $2.5 million override to fund education in Beverly.
If we vote yes, we will maintain the quality of education in Beverly for our children and our community. If we vote no, we will redistrict our youngest elementary students from each school citywide, lay off over 50 teachers and staff, close our third school in five years, increase class sizes to more than 30 per class, and cut programs like art, music and athletics.
The June 3 election is our opportunity to vote on whether or not education is a priority for our community. This plan will cost the average homeowner $185 a year on a home assessed at $450,000. If your home is valued at less, you will pay less.
Why do we need an override? We face a $2.6 million dollar gap in next year's proposed Beverly school budget. This gap is driven by fixed and mandated costs — utilities, health care and tuition costs for special education, where sadly, demand is growing. Costs have simply grown far faster than revenue.
Fiscal responsibility is managing resources while balancing expenses and revenue. The Beverly schools have done both. We closed Memorial Middle School to reduce costs and manage resources. We have controlled expenses. For example, Beverly's spending per student is below the state average and teacher salaries are the lowest of 12 local communities.
In fact, while two-thirds of Massachusetts cities and towns have already passed overrides, Beverly has never had a vote on one. Instead, we've made many tough choices.
In the past five years, we've closed schools, cut dozens of teachers, added fees and increased class sizes. And to really make sure there was no waste in our budget, a citizens committee did a six-month study on Beverly's city and school finances. In 2006, they concluded that "there is no obvious waste or mismanagement."
What are we voting for?
If we vote yes, we vote in favor of a guaranteed $2.5 million in new revenue. This revenue will maintain critical programs and appropriate class sizes. It will give us time to implement innovative changes that will improve education in our community. This will give us a chance to plan for education, rather than against a deficit. We can and should continue to look for cost-saving measures that preserve education and the quality of life in Beverly.
Beverly's children are a small part of our population, but they are 100 percent of our future. When these children grow up, they will be competing for jobs with candidates from India, Germany and China. Jobs of the future will require outstanding math, science and computer skills. Our young Beverly citizens need strong language, arts and communication skills, as well. We need to give all our kids a strong foundation for the future.
Is Beverly worth it?
We are a special city with beautiful beaches and parks, an outstanding senior center, and a vibrant downtown with terrific art and theater. We are a city that thinks like a town. Many are lifelong residents who graduated from Beverly High. Many moved here purposefully to raise their families. Many are enjoying their retirement in this wonderful community.
It is our civic responsibility to consider those who will come after us in this community. We had a good education, and our children today should, as well. Beverly is worth the investment.
A yes vote is a vote for a real solution to a real problem. On June 3, we have a choice to decide on the future of our community.
A vote yes is an investment in our schools and our future.
