Examining The Southbridge School Budget

Ken O’Brien

Speaking in the March 13 issue of The Southbridge News, Acting Superintendent of Schools Sheryl Stanton said, “We are not seeing the increase to the overall school budget that we need to impact some of the high priority issues. We need more people aware and educated of this. We need to make an argument as to why these expenditures are required.”

In order to look at the district’s budget in a meaningful fashion, I have taken the most recently available data from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This data compares the FY 2014 budgetary data for 307* of the State’s school districts on an aggregate as well as a per pupil basis. (http://www.doe.mass.edu/finance/statistics/ppx14.html)

Does Southbridge Council Agenda Indicate A Property Tax Reduction?

Ken O’Brien

After years of having the highest local property tax rate, are Southbridge residents about to see a reduction in that tax rate?


          NO!

The School Budget And the Tax Rate

Ken O’Brien

The agenda for Tuesday’s meeting of the Southbridge School Committee seems to add to the tax woes of Southbridge residents.

This analysis is being prepared on the basis of only partial information. As such, it seeks to provide questions to which we need answers in anticipation of the upcoming Town Council vote on the FY 2015 budget.

The original school budget as proposed by the Superintendent was for $26,282,197.00. The budget to be voted upon is for $25,273,485.00, a reduction of $1,008,712.00 or 3.8%. 

What A Difference A Year Makes

Ken O’Brien

Last Tuesday’s meeting of the Southbridge School Committee has shattered all records for a Southbridge Cable TV production.

As I write this, it has received over 300 views. (I’m not referring to my blog post, I mean the YouTube video stats.)  Keep in mind that this is a video that runs over three hours. Also consider that the prior record holder had a little over 100 views and that the average school committee or town council video gets around 25 viewers.

Obviously there was more at issue than the presentation of the FY 2015 Budget by the Superintendent.

Southbridge Town Manager's FY 2015 Budget Presentation