June 23, 2005
The following was published on 6/23/05, as a "Letter to Editor" in "The Enterprise":
Bridgewater’s Finances and B-R Schools
As I stated during the discussion June 14th (Bridgewater-Raynham School Committee Special Meeting), the Bridgewater Education Study Committee submitted a plan to the town that stipulated increasing the funding to Bridgewater-Raynham by about $2.6 million. When all was done at the Bridgewater Town Meeting June 13th, $2.5 million more was appropriated. Therefore, it would seem obvious that the citizens of Bridgewater spoke on this issue, and answered the recommendation of the Study Committee.
Several other School Committee members warned at that School Committee Meeting that there are dangers in still proceeding with a Joint Town Meeting. A Joint Town Meeting may not be able to set a budget, it could determine an amount less than the current $47.6M (approximate), and it could cause further deterioration of the region. This last issue should not be taken lightly as the Bridgewater tax and budget situation bent about as far as it could in the Town Meeting budget. Some believe that the budget went too far: especially in re-allocating funds from a known expense item (Insurance) to B-R Schools. Should a valid expense category be shorted or can it legally be short-funded when the full expense is known? Forcing the issue on a further B-R increase at this time could break the Bridgewater budget.
The decision reached unanimously by the Bridgewater-Raynham School Committee to ‘take no action’ on June 14th for the FY2006 School Budget and a possible Joint Town Meeting was the proper course. Over the next two weeks, we will analyze the budget to determine exactly how much funding we can now anticipate (remember, the State over the past weeks has released updated projections on Chapter 70 and other funding) and what the School District will get with its new budget amount. With this updated financial information, the B-R School Committee will be able to understand and present to the public what can be expected when school reopens for next year.
Over the years I have attended many Selectmen, other Boards, School Meetings and Town Meetings. When an issue resonated strongly enough, I have spoken at these Meetings. A few years ago I then decided to become even more involved in the process as I sought election to the Bridgewater-Raynham School Committee. I am now not only on the B-R School Committee, but also on the Negotiating and Budget Sub-Committees. Those areas that I believed so strongly in, I am now part of the process to make better. It is with this in mind that I am encouraged by the recent large citizen participation in B-R School Meetings and Town Meetings. Whether you are a fiscal liberal or conservative, consider yourself a red or blue state person, the involvement of the community makes the process and ultimately the situation better. As long as the discussions are civil, we can all be proud to work together for a better community. And perhaps, someone who gathered the courage to speak at one of these recent meetings will be a future Selectmen or School Committee Member.
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
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