The Whitman-Hanson Regional School District Transparency Project

I believe that Hanson Middle School's auditorium has a capacity to hold something like 400 or 500 people. I attended the recent town meeting on May 6th, and the school budget override was a noticeable draw that saw a significantly more filled room that day. Recent (initial and unofficial) Hanson town election results showed that 1,393 voters cast a vote for the override question. Notably, 95% of all ballots had a vote cast for this question, signaling strong interest and engagement on this issue. (Where only 78 voters - or 5% - did not cast a vote on this issue, this compares to 664 voters - 45% - that chose not to vote for a Select Board candidate, and 223 - 15% - that chose note to vote for a School Committe candidate.) The number of citizens that voted in the town meeting (and that placed a vote on the override issue) well exceed the HMS auditorium capacity. It would send a message of significance to the town, its voters, and citizens if the Select Board and others could arrange for the June 17th Special Town Meeting to be held in a venue with a higher capacity that can maximize community participation. A logical choice would likely be at Whitman Hanson High School where I believe this is some precedent in holding special town meetings there, and since June 17th is after the last day of school. By announcing that the town and school district have taken steps to encourage wide community participation in this important meeting, it would send a strong signal that the town and school encourage the attendance and engagement of as many people as possible. This would be a positive development regardless of the outcome. I appreciate your time and consideration in reading this. Best regards, Mike Day Hanson, MA Whitman Hanson Regional School District (WHRSD) has a commitment to maintaining a workplace and educational environment where discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, languages, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy and pregnancy-related medical conditions are not tolerated. WHRSD does not allow discrimination or harassment against students based on homelessness or limited English-speaking ability. The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has determined that email is a public record. This communication (including any attachments) is intended for the use of the intended recipient(s) only and may contain information that is confidential, privileged, or legally protected. Any unauthorized use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender by return e-mail message and delete all copies of the original communication.