Why Vote Yes?

• Our schools need your support!
• Why do strong schools matter?
• How will the Ipswich community benefit by voting YES?
• Why does Proposition 2 ½ call for your vote?

Our schools need your support!
In 2002, Ipswich, like so many other towns across the Commonwealth, was forced to significantly control spending due to a dramatic decrease in state funding. Since then this lack of state funding combined with annual increases of unavoidable and fixed expenses such as healthcare and benefits, fuel, utilities, and unfunded state and federal mandates have put a strain on the school’s operating budget. Over the years, careful management and innovative problem solving by administration and teachers have allowed the schools to do more with less. These initiatives are no longer enough. Expenses have simply outstripped revenues. The budget can no longer bear this burden and the future of our schools is on the line.

Why do strong schools matter?
Strong schools build strong communities. The quality of our schools directly influences the value of our homes and businesses. The median assessment for a single family home in Ipswich is $447,350. At a $.55/$1000 valuation, the recommended $1.49 million override would cost the average homeowner about $247 a year, or about $20.00 a month. The cost to condominium owners would be $159 per year on average. The override would present no cost to seniors living in public housing. For your home’s assessed value go to: http://ipswich.patriotproperties.com

How will the Ipswich community benefit by voting YES?
A YES vote will help us turn the tide and stop the continual erosion of our schools’ core curricula, allowing us to preserve and protect the system for which we as a community are so proud. Among the highlights of what an override will help us retain and restore are:

 Why does Proposition 2 ½ call for your vote?
Adopted by voters of Massachusetts in 1980, Proposition 2 1/2 was created to give communities the power to decide how and why taxes should be raised. This legislation limits the amount of revenue a city or town may raise, or levy, from local property taxes each year to fund municipal operations. The limit can be changed and doing so requires a majority vote at Town Meeting followed by a second vote at the ballot box. A change in the levy limit would provide a permanent source of support for our schools.

How can we take action?
These are difficult financial times; however, an investment in our schools now will have long-term benefits to the town and each and every community member. Working together, we as citizens can turn the tide!

• Attend town government meetings on school issues and voice your opinions
• Write to your town officials, including Selectmen, School Committee, and Finance Committee members
• VOTE YES at the ballot box on May 20