School committee advances override article after large public turnout and extended discussion

The Northbridge School Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to advance an article asking voters to consider a Proposition 2½ override that would raise additional operating revenue for Northbridge Public Schools, after an extended public comment period and a committee discussion of multi‑year budget scenarios.

The vote came after roughly an hour and a half of public comment from parents, staff and former committee members who urged the committee to put an override on the ballot so town voters can decide. After community remarks the committee briefly moved the item from action to discussion, heard staff describe five scenario options for a multi‑year override, then voted 5‑0 to move the article back to action so it can be presented to the Board of Selectmen and, if approved there, placed on a warrant for town consideration.

Why it matters: Committee members and school administrators said the district faces recurring operating shortfalls and high use of reserves (revolver) unless additional revenue is authorized. With rising personnel costs and transportation needs, staff presented scenarios showing that a one‑year increase will not sustain operations over time and described options that would spread required revenue over multiple years to limit immediate tax impact.

School business staff reviewed five example scenarios for an override that would fund projected operating increases across five years. Staff summarized scenario totals discussed by the committee as roughly: $4,950,000 (to sustain an average 3.5% annual expense increase over five years), $4,275,000 (3.0% annual increase), $3,950,000 (3.0% with other adjustments), and a lower option near $3,750,000 tied to a 2.5% annual cap on increases. Staff and the committee emphasized that if the committee votes a single override figure it must be the total figure authorized; the district may choose to raise portions of that total in specific years rather than all at once.

Public comment: More than two dozen speakers asked the committee to place the override on the ballot rather than delay. Speakers included current and former school employees, parents with children at Northbridge Elementary School, members of the PTA and other residents. Several callers said they had reorganized schedules to attend expecting a decision. Comments repeatedly stressed concerns about class sizes, staff retention, and the district’s reliance on short‑term reserves.

Procedural issues: Multiple residents raised a point of order citing Robert’s Rules of Order, saying the committee should have amended the posted agenda by formal motion before changing an item from action to discussion. The committee chair and members said they had met Friday and intended to place the article in discussion because some numbers were still being finalized; committee members acknowledged the posting and communication sequence had caused confusion and apologized for the tone it created.

Votes at a glance: The committee approved a consent agenda earlier in the meeting (minutes and two warrants) by unanimous voice/roll call. During the override item the committee first took a procedural motion to move the posted action item into discussion (motion seconded and carried), then after public comment and staff presentation the committee voted 5‑0 to move the article from discussion back to action and to advance it for submission to the Board of Selectmen for inclusion on a warrant. Committee members voting in favor on the final roll call were Jonathan Kennoy, Carl Cowen, Shannon Kennoy, Jill Leonard and Heather Alden.

Next steps: The committee said it will finalize the specific override figure internally, meet again to confirm the number and submit the warrant article to the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee for review. Several speakers and committee members urged formation of a community coalition to educate voters if the article appears on the ballot. Erin Donahue (former committee member) reminded the committee that a debt exclusion/override article needs to be filed by the municipal deadline to appear on the spring ballot.

Other business: The committee heard a year‑to‑date budget update and a second‑quarter report from the Southern Worcester County Educational Collaborative (SWEC). The district’s fiscal year audit report was presented as informational with no audit findings.

The meeting adjourned after the committee asked members of the community to participate in upcoming meetings and outreach if the override proceeds to the ballot.