Letter To The Editor: Why Question 1 Is Good For Braintree Students

BRAINTREE, MA — Kelly J. Cobb-Lemire, the Vice Chair of the Braintree School Committee, makes the case for why Braintree voters should consider supporting the Fair Share Amendment, which appears on election ballots as Question 1 this November.

The following letter to the editor was sent to Patch by Kelly J. Cobb-Lemire, Vice Chair of the Braintree School Committee.

While Massachusetts has some of the best public K-12 schools in the nation, students across the state do not receive an equal standard of education. Many school districts, like Braintree, are facing severe budget shortfalls and fiscal constraints. Currently our proposed FY23 budget will drastically limit the Braintree Public School’s ability to provide a quality public education.

Passing the Fair Share Amendment, Question 1 on the November ballot, would create an additional four percent tax on a person’s annual income over one million dollars, and raise consistent, stable revenue so that our public school system can provide the essential academic support and mental health services needed to address significant learning gaps and social-emotional needs of our students.

Additional educational funding will ensure that we can provide math and reading specialists; guidance counsels; and adjustment counsels. Our students deserve a well-rounded education founded on rich and varied curriculum that includes science, technology, engineering, business, math, music, art, and athletics.

As the “#1 in education” state, an additional 4% tax only on income above $1 million is a small contribution towards student success and to ensure a renewed sense of educational equity and justice for all our students and families in Massachusetts.

Kelly J. Cobb-Lemire
Vice Chair Braintree School Committee