Need for GDRSD Override

Our school district continues to face a difficult financial situation. Two years ago, the Foundation Formula used by the State to calculate State funds for education (Chapter 70 funds) was revised. The formula was changed to include the average personal income of the people who lived in the towns, as well as the property values. Because of this change to the Foundation Formula, about one-third of the towns will receive less State funds and two-thirds of the towns will receive more State funds for education. Groton and Dunstable will both receive LESS State funds for education. The State's intention is to shift more of the cost of public education on our towns based on our perceived wealth.

The School Committee realizes that this cost shift by the State is not an easy burden for our towns. It has been very difficult creating a budget that will preserve the wonderful successes of this district in educating our children and, yet, still be a budget that the townspeople are willing to support. Last year the School Committee asked for a $1.2 million override to "raise the bar" for achievement in our district. That override failed and 17 existing staff positions were eliminated. Instead of raising the bar, these cuts forced the district to reduce services in the current budget year.

This year the School Committee seeks to provide a level services budget. This budget will maintain class sizes, but will not recover services cut last year or add new services. Even so, this budget will require an override vote to cover an approximately $137,000 revenue shortfall. A level services budget still requires more funds due to the rising costs of health insurance, contracted salary increases, heating fuel, electricity, and so on.

The School Committee always strives to manage our budget in a fiscally responsible way and to maximize efficiency and this year is no different. This year's budget includes the very difficult and emotional decision to take Prescott School off line. Without increasing class size, we can place students and teachers from Prescott into empty classrooms in Swallow Union and Florence Roche schools. Space is available due to staff cuts and declining elementary enrollment. The money saved from this consolidation significantly reduces the size of the override without reducing our most important asset, teachers.

We can and should be proud of our school district. The EQA audit (Office of Educational Quality and Accountability) reaffirmed the excellent school system we have and the many accomplishments of our students and staff over the past three years. It is important to note that we are a high-performing district, yet spend approximately $1500 less per pupil than the State average! Our success could not have happened without the financial support of both Groton and Dunstable. An executive summary of the EQA report is posted at www.gdrsd.org/District/SCMeetingInfo.html under March 19.

I believe that the communities of Groton and Dunstable support public education and I encourage all residents to vote yes for the override of approximately $137,000 ($106,437 for Groton, and $30,552 for Dunstable).

For more detailed information about the School District budget, please visit www.gdrsd.org to find District - Financial Information and School Committee - Meeting Information .

Sincerely,
Cindy Barrett
Groton-Dunstable Regional School District School Committee Chair