To the editor:
Both my husband and I grew up here and chose to raise our family here. Anyone who is drawn here can see why: A beach is within a half-a-mile of anywhere you go; the sense of community runs deep; a small town feel with relative accessibility to a large city — what’s not to love? And because of these things, Marblehead will always be special.
However, it’s the not-so-visible or obvious things that are rattling our town to its core, ones that could create a real and serious shift and right now we are collectively standing at a crossroad: to support an override or not to support an override.
One thing you learn while living in a small town is how it is run. I spoke to my parents (they no longer live here) the other day, who were often involved in the town’s politics, and they said to me, “Oh man, you guys are still dealing with this huh?” It was the same story for them 35 years ago as it is today, “mismanagement of funds,” “poor planning” — a lot of buzz words. But if you really look at it, our town is essentially run by volunteers (Select Board), with a few hired positions (Town Administrator), and advised by other volunteers (Finance Committee, and more). The key word is volunteers. This is the system we have set up; this is the system we chose and this is the system we honor and guess what, when this is what we are working with, in no way shape or form is it going to run perfectly. There will be mistakes and there will be triumphs because our town’s governance is at the mercy of those who volunteer to do the hard work — and those that step up to the plate, thank you!
Are there areas that need to be fixed in how our governing boards make choices? Just like any bureaucratic system, yes — but I refuse to hold our schools and our town’s integrity hostage in the meantime. The mistakes made in history are not necessarily at the hands of the present and I believe supporting an override is the answer to help Marblehead’s success in the future. Right now we are at the heels of losing $3.2 million from the FY 267 school budget and that is disturbing. This is something I cannot sit down and be quiet about. I have three children in public school and I know that if the schools lose that money, those kids will absolutely feel the effects. The last time a school override was up for Town Meeting, the thought was “well, the kids won’t feel this if it doesn’t pass” and that may be true, but you can absolutely be certain that the kids will feel this one. This type of loss is one that will affect us for years to come and ultimately change the course of Marblehead Public Schools.
I cannot sit idly by and watch people become more up in arms about the possible loss of trash pick up than they are about the proposed loss of $3.2 million for our schools from an already slim budget. Trash collection is a luxury; great schools are an absolute necessity. The unfortunate part of Marblehead that puts the schools in a pickle is that there are many private schools in our area and when our school budgets keep getting cut, many will flock to them. The narrative then becomes that since we are facing decreasing enrollment, we need less funding. But that is a weak argument and most people with children in public school would agree with me. Marblehead can not have strong schools if we keep defunding the things that make it great: support staff, special education, enrichment opportunities, legitimate classroom sizes.
School Committee member Melissa Clucas wrote an excellent op-ed in Marblehead Current which discussed this very topic of how declining enrollment isn’t just because people are leaving public school and I suggest everyone read it. This is an open plea for anyone who has a family member who will be affected by this proposed loss to our schools: Please come to Town Meeting, please support putting an override on the ballot, even if you are still wavering. This is a decision that deserves the full due process of a town-wide ballot vote in June and not one to be decided upon by only the small percentage of people who are able to come to Town Meeting. To those who have young children (or even grandchildren!), please know that the possible deficit facing our schools today will absolutely affect you down the road. Help put our schools at the top of your priority.
Bit Coppola
Beverly Ave
