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Board discusses public outreach after misinformation surfaced during referendum cycle
Summary
Board members and staff discussed ways to present clear information about the budget and said a small but vocal online group has spread misunderstandings; some members urged explanatory, neutral outreach.
Several members raised concern that a small group of misinformed or misleading posts had shaped public perception during the last referendum; one member asked whether the Board of Education, the Board of Finance or the town should publish explanatory material. Committee member (S2) recommended the Board of Finance "stay neutral" and rely on meeting materials, while Committee member (S8) said staff and board leaders have tried to counter misinformation in prior communications: "we've been fighting upstream with the misinformation out there."
Members debated the fine line between providing factual explanations and avoiding electioneering, and suggested coordinated neutral information — charts, comparisons and an FAQ — be prepared for residents so voters can make informed choices when the referendum is scheduled.
