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

My opinions

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

The school building has problems and needs to either be repaired or rebuilt or lose accredidation.

Rebuilding vs. Repairing:
I think it's a good idea to rebuild. By rebuilding the school we get state money. If we just do the repairs to keep the school up to standards, we spend about half as much money, but we don't get a new school.

Tax Increase to pay for it:
I think it's a good idea. School improvements (including rebuilding k-8 schools) have generally been managed out of the general budget, but paying for the high school that way would really squeeze the budget and not leave money for other school building upkeep, just pushing the problem into the future.

LInks

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

City website about the plan:
http://www.somervillema.gov/highschool/

Proponents website:
campaignforsomervillesfuture.com


There is a meeting about it tomorrow evening:
Community Meeting - The Future of Somerville High School
Visiting Nurses Association, 259 Lowell Street, Community Room,
October 5th, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
RSVP campaignforsomervillesfuture.com/events

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

That's so interesting, because I feel like I've seen and heard a ton about it. But then, I have a kid who will be in HS next year and another one a few years later, so maybe I move in circles that are talking about this more. It might be useful to share with the people who are organizing in favor of this ballot initiative (because there ARE people organizing for it, quite actively) that their message isn't getting out far enough.

FWIW, I am in agreement with other commenters that rebuilding the HS is a good and important move for the city. Losing the HS's accreditation would be a HUGE problem for teens in Somerville, which would undoubtedly have many long-term repercussions not just on those kids and their families, but throughout Somerville. And on a more general level, having a HS building that is up to modern standards is just plain better for the community and the city as a whole.

[dmaze]

From the City's Web site, the Elections Department has a list of ballot questions (they have statewide Question 1 wrong), saying:

Question 5 (Specific to Somerville)

Shall the City of Somerville be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond(s) issued in order to design, engineer, construct, and equip the new Somerville High School?

I can't tell if that's the entire thing we're voting on, or if there's more detail behind it.

[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.

[mem-winterhill.livejournal.com]

FYI: I was just push-polled on the new high school. Asked some demographic questions, asked registration issues. National candidate prefs. Nothing overtly obvious.

Then was asked on charter schools, Mostly stuck to the basic wording of the cap or removing the cap.

Then was asked on the high school. Long lead-in about how much taxes are expected to go up and over how many years.

I said yes anyway. But it was interesting. I wonder who is paying to defeat the high school...?