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School committee votes to place $4.95 million override on warrant after public comment
Summary
The Northbridge School Committee voted in February 2025 to place a $4,950,000 operating override on the town warrant. Committee discussion centered on three override scenarios and projected tax impacts; public commenters were sharply divided.
The Northbridge School Committee voted in February 2025 to place a $4,950,000 operating override on the town warrant, sending the question to the Board of Selectmen for inclusion on the ballot process.
The committee’s decision follows a presentation from the business office on three override scenarios and more than an hour of public comment that ranged from urging approval of the largest option to calls for deeper line‑by‑line budget cuts before asking taxpayers for additional revenue.
Committee members said the vote was intended to preserve level services and avoid severe cuts in coming years. Melissa, business office staff, outlined three scenarios presented to the committee: a $4,950,000 override structured over five years (with projected increments of roughly $1.2 million, $2.2 million, $550,000, and two years at $500,000), a $3,950,000 option phased over four years, and a $3,750,000 option that would require deeper annual reductions. Melissa said the $4,950,000 scenario was modeled to support a 3.5% capped annual increase and to preserve a revolving (emergency) balance of about $1 million.
Public commenters differed sharply. Joe Strzula urged the committee to back the largest figure, saying, “I ask you to support the full amount of $4,950,000…support your community, our teachers, and most importantly, our students.” By contrast, Pamela Ford urged restraint and urged the committee to complete detailed budget cuts before asking voters for a permanent override: “An override is not a Band‑Aid…It’s something very, very…permanent,” she said, and recommended staff reductions and other cuts before a taxpayer vote.
Other speakers pressed different points: several parents, paraprofessionals and town residents warned that cuts would affect class sizes, special education support and long‑term property values; one paraprofessional described the risk of using uncertified staff in place of special education teachers if funding is reduced. Commenters also noted a competing warrant article for a senior‑center exclusion, and committee members acknowledged voters may weigh the school override against other capital priorities.
After discussion, a committee member moved to place the $4,950,000 override amount on the warrant; the motion carried in a roll‑call vote. The committee then approved related capital articles. The committee chair and staff reiterated the timeline: the warrant article must be submitted to the Board of Selectmen by the early March deadline for inclusion at town meeting and, if approved at town meeting, the override would proceed to a ballot question for voters.
The committee and business office said a full superintendent’s proposed budget and the line‑by‑line binder will be presented to the committee on March 11; the business office staff said the detailed budget packet will be posted and televised for public review. Committee members encouraged residents to attend future meetings and to follow state‑level funding debates that affect local education budgets.
Votes at a glance: the School Committee voted to place a $4,950,000 operating override on the warrant (roll call recorded as Yes by Shannon Kinoy; Heather Alden; Carl Callan; Jill Leonard; Jonathan Kinoy).
