Is an override a good financial decision? Why does it make sense here in Easton now.

I was a middle-school teacher during the 2008 financial crisis, and I lived through cuts like we're seeing on the table right now in Easton. They look devastating on paper, but they are even worse in reality. Kids' education is diminished in a thousand subtle ways as the system has to cut corners, big and small, to make ends meet. Our kids & educators have been through so much in the last few years; they need more resources at this time, not less.

If class sizes grow, it’s well documented that education suffers. Education is the pathway to productive citizenship. It is the most valuable asset our town has to offer. It’s what draws new families and home buyers to our town. Easton has a disproportionately high volume of teachers who live in the town when compared with other towns. If teachers are laid off, teachers may no longer be able to afford to live in the town of Easton. If 20-40 school positions are eliminated, the negative ripple effects will be damaging to the town for years to come.

I am voting YES!! I am a Senior, a retired Principal, a long-time Easton resident, a parent, and a grandmother. I raised two children here and am helping to raise and support two teens at OA now. I know how hard the teachers in this town work to support our children and their varied needs. I know how important all after-school activities are to the students, their academic and social development, and their commitment to their school community!

Voting YES on May 19th and June 10th means supporting our town's schools and essential services while giving us time as a community to recalibrate and look at ways that we can improve town spending and town revenue. Without the override, our kids lose too much. Our seniors lose too much. We all lose too much. Together, we can fix this and keep our schools and services the way they are, but only if we give ourselves the time.

Easton officials are proposing an operational override to address a budget shortfall, and residents are already paying for two major debt exclusion projects (the Blanche Ames school and new public safety facilities). Many are asking: How will this affect my tax bill? Here’s a neutral, fact-based breakdown using Easton’s median home value of $660,000 as an example.

Voting YES on May 19th and June 10th means supporting our town's schools and essential services while giving us time as a community to recalibrate and look at ways that we can improve town spending and town revenue. Without the override, our kids lose too much. Our seniors lose too much. We all lose too much. Together, we can fix this and keep our schools and services the way they are, but only if we give ourselves the time.