OVERRIDE GOES DOWN TO DEFEAT; L-S FACES CUTS

Dear L-S Alumni,

Here is the last alumni newsletter for the 2007-2008 school year.

The news could be better from your alma mater. We were all set back on our heels a bit when the high school recently lost its first override vote in 15 years. Lincoln was prepared to along with the budget override request, but not Sudbury, which defeated the proposal by a nearly a 2-1 vote. Voters were given the choice of two override mounts and a “No” vote. Even the larger amount would have given the high school only level- funding, but it was not to be.

The basic problem is a structural deficit, affecting many school districts across the state. Whether because of rising health insurance rates and/or increasing enrollment, school budgets cannot keep up with inflation—at least not without an override.

L-S is growing, and in fact Sudbury has the highest ratio of families with school age children in the state, except for Hanscom AFB. So people are still being drawn to Sudbury for the schools, but it is an expensive compliment. With each new student, comes new costs.

There was a minority of very vocal townspeople who urged a “No” vote because, among other things, they don’t like the administration or school philosophy (too many electives, too much freedom). They also see waste in the school budget. Given that override votes have also been failing in other communities, it seems more likely that the vote reflected growing economic anxieties and hardship, even in the more affluent communities. One Sudbury taxpayer seemed to speak for many when she said: “Enough already.” Override votes have become almost annual occurrences, but this fact goes back to the reality of structural deficits. So far, no serious proposals have been made in the state legislature to ease pressure on property taxes and find new ways to fund the schools.

Most importantly, there will be consequences for L-S. Staff will be reduced, and class sizes will continue to grow. Most athletic and extra-curricular activities will be spared by an increase in participation fees, a temporary fix that many parents supported. (The school will do its best to help students in need). Without an override in 2009, the situation will become very grim, as deep cuts in programs and staffing would be inevitable.

Here’s some good news we can always count on: Spring has returned to the area, and we are all congratulating ourselves on the annual victory of getting through another New England winter. Yay for us!

In other important school news:

• Some student athletes are in a tizzy, because the Wellness Dept (previously known as “Physical Education”) ended alternate credit for athletes during their seasons. Those students will now be expected to take Wellness classes as well. The Department sees this as a positive development because its rich course offering will be available to more students.

• Part of the senior gift will involve building a “Harmony Garden” out by Thoreau’s Cabin (which is dedicated to the memory of the late Eric Drobinski, ’99). Hopefully, the garden will be a place that L-S students can find an even greater measure of peace in their stressful lives;

• The relocated softball field will be re-dedicated to the memory of late math teacher and former girls softball coach Ed McCarthy;

• Three alumni spoke about the importance of service and social engagement at the annual Martin Luther King Assembly: Jason Bello (Gay activist & newly-named Rhodes Scholar!), ’04; Amy Offner (student & labor activist and graduate student in history), ‘97; and Paul Krezanoski (medical student & former Peace Corps volunteer), ’97. Paul is an active advocate of micro loans. You can find his group’s website at:

https://www.opportunitysolutions.org/page/home

• The Forum, the student newspaper of L-S, has started a new website to help alumni and students keep current with school happenings. You can find it at:

http://www.LincolnSudburyForum.org

• Our Ocean Sciences Team won another national championship (the second in three years);

• The golf team and the girls x-country team won state titles (Their banners will hang next to those won last year by baseball, girls spring track, girls indoor track, girls basketball);

• In May, several Buddhist monks will be creating a sand mandala in one of the connectors;

• Some new murals and other artwork have gone up this year. Please see them at the L-S History/Culture page, at:

http://www.lsrhs.net/publications/HistoryCulture/

• The old guard continues to leave L-S, and a substantially new faculty has come on board. Retiring this year, with full L-S honors…three cheers, please....for:

Barbara Salzman, Special Education
Carol Schroeder, Math
Jean Sheehy, Special Education
Richard Wise, Technology

• Ending Emeritus service

Jim Newton
Bill Plott
Bill Schechter

This may or may not be the final alumni newsletter I write. I have enjoyed helping you keep in touch with your old high school—it’s a great school!

Hey, L-S forever,

Best,

Bill Schechter,
History Dept., Emeritus
bill_schechter@lsrhs.net

FORUM/ THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER
http://www.LincolnSudburyForum.org

THE NEW LS HISTORY/ CULTURE PAGE
http://www.lsrhs.net/publications/HistoryCulture/

ALUMNI PAGE
http://www.lsrhs.net/alumni/default.html


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