Bill Schwartz of the Brookline Override Study Committee gives a presentation at a public information session last month.
(Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe)
BROOKLINE
Boosting property taxes, which Brookline has not done with a general Proposition 2 1/2 override since 1994, met with near-universal acclaim at a standing-room-only hearing last Tuesday.
But that still leaves the question: How much?
Selectmen face the choice of raising just enough cash to fund the coming fiscal year's projected deficit ($2.1 million) and maintenance backlog ($1.5 million), which most people in the 150-plus audience supported.
They can also add in funds to extend the school day 20 minutes ($1.8 million) and/or to reinstate elementary school world language instruction ($800,000).
Or they can offer voters the option of choosing individual items on the above list, rather than bundling them into one up-or-down vote in the May 6 election. When selectmen decide in the next few weeks on a figure to present to voters, they could add some money to account for worsening deficit estimates.
Most who addressed the issue at last week's hearing supported bundling, but a few asked for the menu.
"I would like to see multiple override options" on the ballot, said Marvin Loh of Royal Road. He also suggested that a shrinking budget might be beneficial for the town. "Most creative solutions occur when we face challenging situations."
Another consideration was raised by Richard Benka, a candidate for selectman. He asked whether bundling all four items together risked failure of the override, which, he said, "would be a great tragedy for those of us who care about the town and the schools."
Two members of the Override Study Committee, a volunteer group that dissected the town's finances and recommended the tax hike, advocated a single question covering all four items.
"I suggest everyone support all four components," said Bill Schwartz. "Yes, more revenue capacity is needed. If this doesn't pass, entire programs may be eliminated."
Others said they might support this override, but only if they were assured that they would not be voting on one again in a few years.
By far, the majority argued about the longer school day.
Judy Meyers, chairwoman of the School Committee, said that because Brookline's school day has not changed since education reform passed in 1993, the town is out of compliance with state laws about minimum instructional time for the middle and high school students.
"This also gives us an opportunity to bring salaries in line with our competitor school communities," she said.
Superintendent William H. Lupini said that high school scheduling would be easier and lower-grade core subjects would get necessary additional time with the change.
But some asked if the additional time, which was negotiated between the teachers union and the School Committee, was not just a backdoor way to raise salaries.
"We are already number four in per-pupil spending," said Roger Blood, speaking as cochairman of the Coalition Against Unfair Taxation.
The town's budget projections in general were "alarming," he said. "The word 'unsustainable' says it all."
But many parents and grandparents argued for the extra time.
"What's scandalous is how we are not meeting state mandates," said Kate Silbaugh, a parent of three. "The teachers are working like crazy trying to cover the learning expectations in too little time."
World language and the longer school day are both "sound initiatives needed to maintain Brookline's competitiveness," said Amy Kershaw of the override committee. "These numbers are solid."
In presentations before the hearing, town officials detailed the cost-saving measures already taken to reduce next year's deficit, including personnel cuts, negotiating health-plan savings with unions, outsourcing, asking nonprofits for payments in lieu of taxes, and increasing fines and fees.
Both the schools and the town pledged to continue working to reduce future deficits by coordinating collective bargaining, negotiating toward the state's less-expensive group health plan, and using technology to replace personnel.
"We are looking at outsourcing, better enforcement of absences and leaves, and cost containment in special education," said Lupini. "But I want to stress that we are providing better services for kids with special needs, with early intervention and better programs" that also save money.
Without an override for fiscal 2009, which starts July 1, the schools expect to lay off 15 or 16 teachers in the upper grades. Town cuts include four policemen, allowing the Fire Department to temporarily deactivate one truck to reduce overtime in the spring and summer, and cutting library staff and materials.
"With or without an override, the town will be facing challenges going forward," said Sean Cronin, deputy town administrator. "Efficiencies are necessary."
Despite the overall pro-override sentiment at the hearing, there were a few voices opposing any tax hike.
"Enough of this yuppie, cutting-edge Brookline mentality," said Phillip Baram of Pleasant Street. "Money doesn't grow on trees."
© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
