Somerville-specific referendum questions?

[rmd.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen anything about it except for a couple of yard signs, but I gather there's a question on the ballot about construction of a new High School. I didn't see a link to it on the city elections department page, and I haven't seen it discussed here. Anyone have info or opinions?

we don't have a tag for 'elections' or 'politics'? I'm surprised.

Comments

[mem-winterhill.livejournal.com]

I support the new high school. Here are my reasons:

1. Kids who are going to compete in this century deserve appropriate facilities. Things have changed since that other school was built.
2. Elizabeth Warren hooked me years ago with lectures she did where she talked about people "buying" their schools by moving to upscale towns. Somerville's kids should have our support and we should show that we value them and invest in them too. Many of our families can't afford to move to high-end suburbs, and they shouldn't have to.
3. I support spending on public education in general. I think it's a worthy investment, especially in times of increasing inequality.
4. I want our neighbors to want to stay here and to choose to raise families here.
5. We can build efficiency into this building, saving money in the long run.

I don't have kids, but I think quality facilities and educational opportunities are good for our community. I will vote "yes" on this.

[nomacmac.livejournal.com]

Another long-term bonus of the new high school is that the historic portion of the old high school building will eventually be renovated to house additional city services that are now scattered around Somerville in buildings that are not very functional or ADA compliant. Places like the building on Evergreen Terrace that houses the Somerville Arts Council and the Dept of Public Health, or the Traffic and Parking Dept, or the school administration offices or the Rec Department, or the departments in the TAB building that we are paying Tufts to use. It will be many years before this happens and I have no idea what offices will be moved there, but I like the idea of getting rid of some of the dysfunctional real estate and consolidating city offices.