Override scrutinized at tri-board meeting
by Bill Donovan
Ipswich Chronicle
Weds. Apr 23, 2008

Ipswich - The future of the proposed $1.5 million school budget override was at the heart of the Tuesday, April 8 tri-Board meeting held at Town Hall. The meeting included the Finance Committee, the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee.

The debate centered around how the plan would be implemented. Members of the Finance Committee favored a system where the population votes on cuts and funding. Ipswich residents spoke in support of the School Committees' current spending plan.

"We want to put our schools on solid footing for the future," said Superintendent Rick Korb. "This is for the betterment of this community. We want to attract the top businesses and teachers to this town. If you break the schools, you break this community."

Korb presented the plan, which calls for preserving or reinstating 11 full-time staff to maintain class sizes. $151,000 is needed for support staff positions for library and technology services in the district.

"We're looking for additional support staff and teaching assistants to continue to enhance reading support services at Doyon," said Korb.

If the override passes Ipswich High/Middle school would remain open to the community on weekends and the district could retain the fourth grade instrumental music program. The district also wants to retain its school resource officer. Korb said the schools work closely with the Ipswich polic and fire departments and the Essex County Sheriff's Department. In the past, they've practiced with lock-down procedures and evacuations.

Further funding is needed for co-curricular and tutorial services as well. This includes restoring K-12 after school clubs such drama, interscholastic athletics, and MCAS support.

"Education and culture doesn't just thrive during the school day, but after as well," explained Korb. "We're getting a heck of a bang for our buck. Our teachers are dedicated, making sure our schools are in line with state scores."

A major technology upgrade is needed at Ipswich schools, Korb said. Broken, out-of-date computers are brought into school basements and the district doesn't have the funds to repair them.

"We're talking about amputation here," Korb said. "we've been nibbling away for the past few years at funds. 30 percent of our computers are outdated, and because of that we can't even repair them."

Middle School Principal Cheryl Forster-Cahill said her students are unable to download due to antiquated programs such as Windows 98.

"The software in homes is much more updated," said Forster-Cahill. "We've only been able to buy about 110 computers since the school was built. Some of the machines were even donated to us from Town Hall. These are known as 'legacies.'"

Members of the Finance Committee expressed concern over how this proposal will affect Ipswich taxpayers. They said the $1.5 million override could be too burdensome to residents.

"The reality is people in this community can't afford this very difficult position," said Finance Committee member Janice Skelton. "They can't commit to that number to help schools."

Skelton favors a system where residents could pay $20-25 a month to allow people to contribute in their own way. Another idea is to set up four different possible overrides and allow voters to decide which works best for them.

In response, Korb said, "I agree that this is a tough economic decision. This override is about every child, not one particular group. Once we begin to divide up the choices on a ballot one particular group will benefit rather than the big picture."

Local residents spoke in defense of the proposed budget.

"I think there will be a greater cost in not supporting this," said Ipswich resident Nancy Gallant.

"This override should be driven home." School Committee member Barry Hopping added, "What frightens me as a lifelong resident is there are too many arguments laced with 'good.' Good is not good enough. I'm paying for services in this town I don't use. When my son goes up to the library at Winthrop its almost vacant."

"Its time for the community to address this issue," said School Committee Chairman Joan Arsenault towards the end of the meeting. "We're asking for your help, please vote yes on this override."

http://www.wickedlocal.com/ipswich/news/x501035031