Ashland Needs to Cut Spending Before Asking for Override
I respect anyone willing to sacrifice for their grandchildren and the Ashland schools, but many Ashland residents are already sacrificing just to remain in Ashland at all. Wanting accountability, tighter budgeting, and exploring alternatives before permanently raising taxes does not mean people do not care about children or the town’s future. Supporting the schools and questioning another financial burden on residents are not mutually exclusive positions.
Let’s be clear- we all want the best education for our kids and are aware of the connection between education and taxes. That is not the issue. The issue is questions regarding the money being spent in other areas that could be allocated to the schools. Sometimes you just don’t have any more to give and have to find other areas to cut. Please stop saying anyone against the override doesn’t care, or are not aware of how important education is- that is an insult. Please listen to why people are against the override and engage in that conversation.
School enrollments are down- most of the school budget is per student mandated spending and this town has had to make any difficult decisions in 20 years. Feels like SN and FinComm just went to the override with no real work done. Some on the SB have been trying to get an override for 30 years. Joe, you’re a good guy, but this override is 1. An overreach and 2. Not for the schools. It’s really to fund the general government. Where it feels like every new hire ( and there are plenty) seem to be director level. Trying to extract random from taxpayers by holding kids hostage is disingenuous.
– John Kirwan, former Selectboard Member