Op-Ed: I’m Concerned Are You?
I attended the Newbury school board meeting tonight (Jan. 8). The first one for the new board members. As I am sure you all know, the campaign was run ugly and divided the community. I have to say the first meeting didn’t go any other way.
My concern lies with the renewal levies. The new board members have decided they do not want to place them on the ballot in May. They claim they want to have transparency and faith and trust from the community. Even when a fellow board member said to Maggie Zock, who was voted the new president of the board, that the community voted them in, they will have to make hard decisions. Not to mention putting this on the ballot gives the community the right to vote on it. In most cases that is the community having a voice, right?
Everyone hates the idea of their taxes going up, I mean this same group ran on the platform of lowering taxes, right? So, here is what you need to know: These renewals can be placed on the ballot four times. Since Newbury has a history — just like most schools — of not passing levies, the earlier we get them on the better. Listed below are the options and outcomes:
- Renewals on ballot in May written the way they are now:
– Pass – taxes stay the same as now (they are renewals)
– Fail – goes back on the ballot in Nov 2018
- Renewals go on ballot in November written the same way they are now:
– Pass – taxes stay the same as now
– Fail – goes back on the ballot in May 2019.
- Renewals go on the ballot in May 2019 written the same way they are now:
– Pass – taxes stay the same they are now
– Fail – goes back on the ballot Nov 2019.
- Renewals go on ballot in Nov 2019 written the same way they are now:
– Pass – taxes stay the same as now
– Fail – cannot put on the ballot for another year
If the renewals are not put on the ballot in May, we have one less chance to get them approved. Putting renewals on the ballot in May is a practice a lot of schools take advantage of for this reason. So, listed below are a few more options. I would highly recommend you read these closely, especially given the fact the newly elected board members kept saying they would lower your taxes.
- Renewals placed on the ballot but re-written in May 2018:
– Pass – our taxes go up to the current rate
– Fail – can be placed on ballot in November 2018
In this scenario, the same will apply for the November 2018, May 2019 and November 2019 ballots. With this scenario our taxes are going up.
Please keep in mind these renewals going on the ballot are just that, renewals. We are already paying these. The passing of these now, we will keep paying the same amount. And our school will be solid well into 2026.
The new board can re-write them, and they can lower the amount, or term, but please note if they do this the amount won’t matter because our property value has gone up, which means the rate at which we pay the re-written levy will also go up.
Hello Newbury residents, wake up, this is not what we want, right? This is not what they promised you is it?
Ok, so now let’s say they don’t put them on at all and let them expire. You all will save taxes when the school shuts down, right? They promised you that, too, right? Did you take their word for it? Did you do your own research?
Guess what guys, that is not true either. You don’t have to believe me, do your own research. If we merge with Berkshire, our taxes go up for several reasons, but mainly they will need to pass a levy to build a new high school; they don’t have enough room for all of our students. Then, they will have to pass another operating levy so they can afford to run the new building, let alone their sewer system needs updated. All of that are tax increases for you. My guess is you weren’t told that either.
Let’s also not forget the heartbeat of our town. It’s our school. Not placing these renewals on the ballot lets the teachers and staff know they know longer have job security, lets our kids know they are not cared for here in Newbury.
So, what do we do to save all that while we research mergers and transfers? We pass the renewals and we pay the same thing we are used to paying and keep our great teachers and students as happy as they can be.
We take our time and research mergers and transfers the right way. We don’t rush anything. All the rushing is to us, as homeowners, is we paying more taxes.
Also, not putting the renewals on the ballot shows finical irresponsibility. Is that what you voted for?
Not putting on simple renewals as a way of getting community feedback is a clear way of stalling us into a Ledgemont situation. If you have paid attention, that will kill our township in one fail swoop.
In closing, I am asking you all to reach out to all members of our board for any questions regarding anything I have said. And please, do your research. I will say there is a lot to research, but it’s worth it. It is our township and our kids. We need to show them they matter.
Jessica Alldredge
Newbury Township
