The Whitman-Hanson Regional School District Transparency Project

From: "Beth Stafford <beth.stafford@whrsd.org>" <beth.stafford@whrsd.org> To: Ottina.Kathleen Bcc: beth.stafford@whrsd.org Date: 2024-05-02 19:39 Subject: Re: Whitman FY25 Budget I can assure you that if I have my way, the numbers will not change. We were not told the truth so I am not happy. The budget will hold. Beth On Thu, May 2, 2024 at 6:40 PM Ottina.Kathleen <KOttina@whitman-ma.gov> wrote: Good evening, Jeff and Beth, This email is meant to assure you that the Town of Whitman does have the funds available to fully fund its operating assessment of $19,135,687 without an override. If during the course of the next several weeks voters in Whitman and Hanson take actions that result in a rejected budget, I urge you, when you convene the School Committee to reconsider the budget, to stand firm in your conviction that the current assessments are needed to provide the School Department with the funds needed to educate the children of Whitman and Hanson. The 5% earmark that both towns have designated will result in the loss of eight elementary school teachers in Whitman and seven teachers grades 2-8 in Hanson. That is unconscionable. Teachers are as important as firefighters and police officers when it comes to the quality of life in the two towns. Please continue to advocate for the School Budget. It may be painful from time to time, but it will be worth the fight in the long run. Sincerely, Kathleen Ottina, Whitman Finance Committee Vice-chair and liaison to the WHRSD■ When writing or responding, please remember that the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has determined that email is a public record. This communication may contain privileged or other confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, or believe that you have received this communication in error, please do not print, copy, retransmit, disseminate, or otherwise use the information. Also, please indicate to the sender that you have received this email in error, and delete the copy you received.