The Peterborough Select Board favors passing Article 6 and 7 at its ballot voting session on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. The percentage of the taxes raised in Peterborough that go to support the school district has averaged 65 percent. The Board of Selectmen has no direct control over this.
According to the district’s enrollment data, in 2003 student population was 3,186; as of April 2016 there are 2,225 students across the entire district. This means that since 2003 enrollment has decreased by 30 percent, and is expected to continue to decline.
The cooperative agreement, referred to as Articles of Agreement, that formed the ConVal School District were developed in 1967. We feel strongly that after nearly 50 years, and with reduced enrollment, it is time to review all school budget expense items and bring these costs under control.
It is unfortunate that the voters of Peterborough had to resort to a petition article for withdrawal from the district to address questions of fairness and responsible spending. The school board, on May 6, 2014, voted to table any discussion of school consolidation until 2017. This vote effectively slammed the door, not only on taking any action, but also on having a discussion about ways that we can meet the projected decline in student population with a responsible plan.
Without the willingness of the school board to take up these difficult but necessary questions, the Committee of Concerned Citizens petitioned to have the question of withdrawal added to the 2016 Town Meeting ballot.
Voting “yes” on Article 6 is the only option that state law gives a town to address how it participates in a cooperative school district.
Though it may seem like a drastic move, a “yes” vote would instruct the school district to conduct a study and provide all the information that the school board, and all the residents of the district need to make an informed decision on what is best for the future of our communities and our students. Article 7 gives the select board the funds we will need for a professional review of the study to help us with that analysis.
The approach to how we provide a quality education for our children has changed significantly since 1967. We feel it is time look to the future and make sure that the school district is structured in a way that:
Provides an excellent education for our students.
Supports our teachers and their efforts to teach our kids.
Remains the bedrock of our community.
Is fair and equitable to all stakeholders.
On May 10, we encourage all Peterborough residents to vote “yes” on Articles 6 and 7.
Peterborough Select Board’s include Barbara A. Miller, chair, Ed Juengst and Tyler Ward.