Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Tax Override topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Malden School Committee adopts nonbinding resolution supporting local tax override
Summary
The Malden School Committee voted to adopt a nonbinding resolution backing a proposed local tax override to raise funds for schools. The measure, authored by Mr. Piaza and amended to say the committee "supports" rather than "declares" a revenue increase, passed despite one member's transparency concerns.
The Malden School Committee voted to adopt a nonbinding resolution expressing support for a proposed local tax override to increase revenue for Malden public schools.
The resolution was introduced by Mr. Piaza, a member of the committee, who said the measure aims to initiate public debate and provide transparency about the choice facing voters. Citing guidance from the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, he said officials may discuss and endorse ballot questions at official public meetings. "I support it because I believe that more money is good for children," Piaza said.
The committee changed one line of the text after Miss Rose Zyberg suggested a wording edit. Zyberg proposed replacing the phrase "declares a local revenue increase" with "supports a local revenue increase," arguing the committee does not have authority to declare a revenue increase. The author accepted the change as a friendly amendment and the text was updated accordingly.
During discussion, a committee member identified in the transcript as Misspaphor said she would vote against formally endorsing the override and pressed for stronger financial oversight. She told the committee that members historically lacked access to warrants and that the district recently returned an unspent grant of $15,000. She also said the district "did not meet net school spending last year," information she said she learned at a recent city council finance meeting and not from the district's finance manager or chair. "Until full transparency and strong financial oversight, I will be voting no," the member said.
The clerk called the roll. According to the recorded votes in the meeting, two members voted no; the remaining members voted yes and the resolution passed as a nonbinding expression of support. The motion to adopt was made by Mr. Piaza and seconded by Miss Horty for purposes of discussion. The committee adjourned immediately afterward.
The resolution does not enact a tax or change law; it expresses the committee's position so voters are informed. The transcript does not specify next procedural steps for the committee to follow up on the transparency concerns raised by the dissenting member.
The meeting was then adjourned.
