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Walsh backs override but ties support to transparency, urges a public budget dashboard
Summary
Laura Banes Walsh told Brookline Interactive she supports the operating override but wants the district to show voters a clearer fiscal picture, including evaluating override-committee recommendations and creating a real-time budget dashboard to build trust.
Laura Banes Walsh said she supports the operating override on the Brookline ballot but tied that endorsement to a push for greater fiscal transparency and due diligence on revenue and efficiency options.
"I am in favor of the override," Walsh said. "Not having an override, I think, would have too dire a consequence for our schools." At the same time, she acknowledged voter skepticism about school-district stewardship and proposed two accountability measures: carefully reviewing the suggestions from the override (expenditures and revenue) study committee and developing a public, real-time budget dashboard so taxpayers can drill down into how dollars are spent.
Walsh framed the approach as a triad of values — what is educationally sound, fiscally responsible, and reflective of community values — and said transparency is necessary to build trust with taxpayers who are being asked to raise their own taxes periodically. She said reducing long-term dependence on overrides would create stability for the district's staff and avoid recurring cuts if a future override fails.
The host, State Rep. Tommy Vitolo, reminded viewers of local election logistics and the upcoming election date; Walsh closed by reiterating that fiscal clarity and programmatic priorities would be central to her work if elected to the school committee.
