Tue, May 13 2008 We must begin work now for a successful Proposition 21/2 override in advance of the fiscal 2010 budget season. That's right — 2010. The opportunity for override action for the fiscal 2009 budget has passed, while the deterioration of municipal services, particularly public education, continues unabated. For more than a year, the leadership of Gloucester Stand for Children has been looking for the proper opportunity to pursue a Proposition 21/2 override to benefit our city and our schools. We've educated ourselves on the budget situation and surveyed our membership about their concerns. We've talked candidly with Mayors Bell and Kirk, the former and present City Council, the former and present School Committee, Superintendent Farmer and the leaders of various community groups about the issue and their vision for Gloucester's future. What have we found? There is nearly universal agreement that we need to do more for our city and our schools and that there is currently not enough money to do so. Yet there is no consensus that we should go to the voters and ask for more — not right now. Many reasons are cited for this unwillingness to pursue an override: There's a recession looming, let's first get the city's fiscal house in order, the state should do more, maybe a harbor plan will close the gap, etc. These reasons and competing activity coalesce in a single, equivocal statement: "Not right now — maybe next year." As a community we must be clear on what inaction means. It means that middle-school children in our schools right now will have no language program, or even a roof that doesn't leak — but maybe future kids will. It means today's elementary school children will not have the services of a librarian to provide literacy and curriculum enrichment opportunities, nor much needed upgrades to their school buildings — but maybe future kids will. It means that current Gloucester High School students will not see their class sizes reduced to optimal learning levels, nor a continuation of the fine performing arts education they received at O'Maley — but maybe future kids will. Gloucester Stand for Children leadership has long believed the time is right for an override when there is a clear and compelling proposal for the voters — a proposal with committed advocates in the schools, city leadership, parents and other stakeholders. The window of opportunity has closed for an effective campaign that could come to the aid of the FY09 budget. But looking forward to next year, we urge our elected officials to begin formulating a local override proposal that includes a well-defined and justifiable dollar request for specific goals and meaningful improvements to the schools. We believe Mayor Kirk is committed to education and will do all she can within the given budget constraints, but we reject those constraints. Our elected leadership must have a vision of what our schools and city can and should be; they must have the courage to ask the voters to override the arbitrary limits of 21/2 to achieve that vision. Courage, vision, consensus-building, education advocacy: These are some of the attributes candidates offered voters in the fall campaign season. Now we want to see our leadership — the school committee, city council, superintendent and mayor — sit down together and begin to demonstrate these skills. We want them to create a message about how the resources of a 21/2 override can provide for restoration of programs, academic progress, and real improvements for our kids. We need a coherent and sound proposal for the voters in time for FY10 and we want the process to begin right now, not next year. An override campaign will require time and a significant commitment of money and volunteer effort. We must begin preparing now. Today's school children, as well as tomorrow's, deserve nothing less. Roger Garberg, Ann-Marie Luster, Beth Morris, Simon Paddock, Leora Ulrich, Theresa Whitmore Gloucester, Gloucester Stand for Children Strategy Team
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