21. We are not alone:
Local officials and citizens in North Reading have made a massive effort over the last few years to rein in
spending and to push for more local aid. Where has that left us — still 13th or 14th from the bottom in per
pupil spending in the state. We have gone for an override two straight years and have lost. We have
elementary school libraries and computer labs that are closed two or three days per week. Also this year, we
close our elementary and middle schools two hours early each Wednesday in order to give our teachers the
required prep time that they lost when we eliminated or cut music, art, physical education and other courses.
In addition, we had to cut the physical education class option for high school juniors and seniors and we have
numerous classes with more than 30 students.
Thanks to great cooperation this year between various town boards, we will be able to restore a full school
Thanks to great cooperation this year between various town boards we will be able to restore a full school
week, every week, at our elementary and middle schools, as well as some of the courses that were cut this
year. However, we still will have no physical education for juniors and seniors, still only have ONE certified
librarian in our entire school system, and still not be able to open our computer labs.
Last week in North Reading we had the misfortune of approving a $100 increase in athletic fees. Now, a
student will pay $400 for the first sport and $100 each for the second and third. The family max is now $1,100.
Thankfully, we could keep our busing fee at the bargain rate of $250 per student and our even bigger bargain
student extracurricular fee at only $125. And, the big bonus with the extracurricular fee is that the $125
covers as many activities in which the student wishes to participate.
There has been much discussion of late as to the cause of our financial challenges. Is the crux of the problem
due to mismangement of funds, inefficient use of revenue, i.e. new fire station, senior center, not being able
to live within our budget, etc.? Could we continue to work hard and make sure we are spending every dollar
in the most efficient way? Absolutely, but every organization aspires to the same goal. The point of my
sharing this email with you is to say that we are not alone. There are many cities and towns facing similar
problems to our own, if not worse. My question is, if we are all facing the same problem…..are we all not
being financially responsible?
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26. When the decision‐makers at QinetiQ North America were trying to determine where to
locate their business, they picked Franklin because of the public education system. Qi iQ
l h i b i h i k d kli b f h bli d i QinetiQ
North America is a local maker of soldier protection gear which moved to Franklin two
years ago.
The Milford Daily News did a story on QinetiQ North America and the visit to the company
by Congressman Jim McGovern.
“When we were trying to open a factory up we had the choice of moving to Charleston
When we were trying to open a factory up, we had the choice of moving to Charleston,
S.C., or here,” McCormack said. “We picked (Franklin) because of the public education
system.”
Of course, we are delighted to read news like this because it speaks so highly about the
quality of our education system here. Moreover, it speaks to how our system contributes
beyond the walls of our schools. In the case of QinetiQ North America, by attracting them
to Franklin, a number of jobs were added, which is a boost to our local economy. We talk
to Franklin, a number of jobs were added, which is a boost to our local economy. We talk
often how the school system drives up property values and enhances the community, but
this story provides empirical data to support those assertions.
This timely mention of the Franklin public schools is also further evidence of how we need
to continue to support the school system financially through the override on June 8. Our
community rightfully has high expectations for performance in our schools. And we are
committed to meeting these expectations, and for that reason are supporting the override
efforts.
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