Opinion: It’s Time to Unite and Vote Yes for Brookline

I applaud the Select Board’s decision to present voters with a debt exclusion ballot question that, if approved, would begin to actually solve Brookline’s problem of overcrowded schools, and substandard learning spaces.

Last week, when the Select Board took public comment on the question or questions to be included on the May 7th ballot, I said this:

We’ve debated for years: Not here, and not there.

Not in this neighborhood if some kids are bussed, okay in that neighborhood if other kids are bussed.

Not on this side of town if traffic will increase, okay on that side of town if traffic will increase.

Not a playground on the roof, not a playground on the ground.

Not if we cut a tree, not if we take a building down, and surely not if built on open space.

Not if kids cross Boylston this way, okay if kids cross Boylston that way.

On Tuesday, the Select Board voted for a so-called bundled question for the Baldwin-Driscoll part of a three-part solution (Pierce will come later with anticipated MSBA support) to the Town’s problem of overcrowded schools, and substandard learning spaces.

Many are simply opposed to building a school, any school, at Baldwin. That’s okay, and they’re entitled to that view. But the decision of the Select Board to bundle was not lacking in transparency and was not un-democratic. Baldwin, or Driscoll, one without the other, would misrepresent Brookline’s ability to solve the problem.

It’s time to unite, and it’s time to provide for our public school children. I urge you to vote yes, for Brookline, and approve the Baldwin-Driscoll solution.

• Neil Gordon is a Precinct 1 Town Meeting Member and a member of the Advisory Committee.