Grass-roots override group aims to help school budget
As the city prepares for its first-ever Proposition 2 1/2 override vote June 3, proponents say they will take a low-key approach to voters - talking to residents one-on-one rather than holding public forums or buying advertisements to push the tax hike.
"We're just going to continue on trying to talk to people, neighbor to neighbor, and answer people's questions," said Joan Sullivan, chairwoman of the Yes for Beverly organization, which has taken the lead in calling for an override in the city.
Sullivan and about 20 other residents have worked nearly nonstop since late March to get the $2.5 million override question on the ballot. At issue is a $2.67 million shortfall in the school district budget, caused by rising costs such as utilities, special education, and health insurance premiums. That shortfall was revealed in detail to the public at a March 26 School Committee meeting, along with a plan by Superintendent James Hayes Jr. to submit a balanced budget.
To make up the shortfall, Hayes proposed closing two of the district's six pub lic schools, redistricting its students, and reusing the two buildings as an early childhood center and alternative middle school and high school. A total of 61 school employees would lose their jobs, including seven full-time equivalent posts at the high school. As part of the plan, Latin would be cut at the high school, and other layoffs would include educators who teach English, social studies, special education, art, and physical education/wellness.
Last Monday, after Sullivan submitted 2,600 signatures from residents who endorsed putting the override question on the ballot, the City Council voted unanimously to let the public decide how to handle the school's shortfall and hold the city's first override vote June 3.
If the $2.5 million override referendum passes, homeowners will pay an additional 41 cents per $1,000 of their home's assessed value. That means homeowners whose property is assessed at $450,000 would pay an additional $185 in taxes a year.
To date, city councilors are neutral, and Mayor William Scanlon Jr. said he would not take a position on the override before the vote.
"Obviously it would be nice to have some extra money," Scanlon said. "At the same time there are probably a lot of people who can't afford it."
While Scanlon plans to stay out of the debate, he said he would accept the proposed school cuts.
"It allows us to get the job done with less people and lower costs," he said.
School Committee president Annemarie Cesa, who plans to vote for the override, said the committee had yet to vote to endorse or reject Hayes's proposed cuts. Nonetheless, she said the public should be prepared for the cuts if the override doesn't pass.
With the council approving the special election last week, no formal organization has been established to oppose the override. And, with no previous override votes in Beverly, elected officials were at a loss to predict how many of the city's 24,219 registered voters would cast ballots.
But City Councilor Kevin Hobin predicted the debate around funding the schools would be emotional.
"It's certainly going to be one of the most divisive [votes]," said Hobin.
John Burke, another city councilor, said the special election already has become the hottest issue in the city.
"I get calls from people on both sides of this, and it's really dividing not only my ward but I imagine it's also dividing people from across the city," said Burke.
As word spread last week of the special election, reaction to the referendum was mixed from residents who walked along Cabot Street.
"I'm against it," said William Kitchenmaster. "I'm retired and I pay enough in fees."
Wes Simons, who no longer has children in the school district, said he would support the override. "Education is definitely important and we do have to invest in it. We have to put our money where our mouth is, I guess," he said.
