Letter: If override fails ‘We have no fat to trim to try to fix this problem’

Dear Grafton Voters, 

On June 23rd, you have a very important decision to make. It may not be an easy one, but it is one that, as a community, we can’t afford to put off any longer. You will be asked to allow the town to allocate an additional $4 million in tax revenue to offset a budget shortfall that will severely impact our schools and fire department. For the average Grafton homeowner (house value of $429,000), this means setting aside an extra $10/month on top of what you paid the previous year — but the value our community receives for this money, is substantial. 

By voting yes, you will prevent our schools from starting down the road to severe decline. Without these funds, Grafton Schools will have to eliminate at least 37 positions over the next few years, causing increased class sizes and reduced support for our students. Without an override, we will be forced to eliminate 75 percent of athletics, as well as music, art, theater, tech ed, and similar programs from our students’ curriculum. We will no longer be able to afford many special education programs in-house, forcing us to send our students with special needs out of the district. Without an override, this is how we would “live within our means.” 

Grafton is in the bottom 3 percent in the state in per pupil funding. We have no fat to trim to try to fix this problem— every cut that is made, every single teacher that is lost, hurts. 

Schools are the lifeblood of a strong community. When school districts begin to fail, it is not just the students who are affected. Property values, future economic growth, and other critical elements of our lives in Grafton may be impacted. For all of these reasons, people from all over town have come out in strong support of this override. We’ve heard from Grafton Public School Superintendent Jay Cummings, who has said, “there is no way to fill a $3 million budget gap in a district that is already in the bottom 3 percent in funding in Massachusetts without it being devastating to the school district.” 

We’ve heard from the Grafton Teachers’ Association, who has said, “to protect the quality of our schools, our quality of life, and our property values at that, it is critically important that we protect the investment we have made in our schools by voting in favor of this proposition.” 

We’ve heard from members of the Grafton Fire Study Committee about the Fire Department’s positions and training that are needed, who have said “this is necessary,” and “we can’t keep putting this off.” 

We’ve heard from the Chair of the Grafton Finance Committee, who has said, “If we wait any longer, the problem is just going to get bigger, because the town’s operational needs accumulate. If we wait, the dollar figure needed for an override and the year over year tax increase go up.” 

We can’t afford to wait any longer. By saying yes, you will be preventing our schools and fire department from falling into decline. Your investment in our town is critical. Vote yes to protect our fire department and to give our students the future they deserve. 

Please join us in voting yes on Question 2 (the “Override”) at the ballot on June 23rd! 

Sincerely, The Yes Grafton Committee (2020) 

Liz Spinney, Chair 
Peter Carlson 
Laura Often 
Mat Often 
Amy Marr 
Beth Foley 
Maureen Cohen 
Jennifer Rowe 
Alison Brissette 
Dan Cusher

These opinions are of the individuals themselves and not of the committees on which they serve.