2024-04-10 — Re: School budget
From: "Jeffrey Szymaniak <jeffrey.szymaniak@whrsd.org>" <jeffrey.szymaniak@whrsd.org>
To: Ottina.Kathleen
Cc: beth.stafford@whrsd.org
Bcc: beth.stafford@whrsd.org
Date: 2024-04-10 11:20
Subject: Re: School budget
Attachments: M. Carter Notification of WHRSD SC VOTE 4.8.24 (1).pdf
Hi Kathy,
I know you are a strong supporter of our school district and have been our advocate. I appreciate that and I'm sorry you are furious at the School Committee
decision to lower the assessment and move forward with an override. I have presented multiple scenarios outside of a level service budget to the Committee so
that they could make an informed decision on the assessments presented to the towns. While I am not happy that we reduced our assessment from level
service, I support the 9-0 vote to lower the assessment which gives this budget an opportunity to pass on TM floor and gives the voters an opportunity to be
heard.
I've attached the document as requested.
Have a good day,
Jeff
On Wed, Apr 10, 2024 at 9:10 AM Ottina.Kathleen <KOttina@whitman-ma.gov> wrote:
Good morning Jeff,
I would like a copy of the new School Assessment letter that David Leary will be sending to the
towns of Whitman and Hanson based on Monday night's School Committee vote to reduce the
operating assessment by $910,000■.
Furthermore, I want you to know that I personally am furious that you and Beth Stafford even
consider agreeing to have the difference between your 7.87/7.68% increases and the 5%
placeholders the towns have earmarked for the school budget funded by a "school override".
Whatever happened at your meeting with the BOS chairs and town administrators that resulted in
considering an override to fund the schools was a "lose-lose proposition for the schools; heads I win
tails you lose for the towns."
Last night the Whitman Finance Committe voted unanimously to oppose the "School override"
approach to handling the Towns' budget shortfall.
Kathleen Ottina
Whitman Financce Committee Vice0-chair and liaison to the WHRSD