I am writing this letter to alert the hardworking taxpayers of Burlington of some of the financial improprieties at the School Department that have the potential of raising our taxes. The most recent issue is the $1.7 million of expenditures in excess of the total school budget for fiscal 2018 that just ended this past June 30. In simple terms, this means that the School Department took it upon itself to spend $1.7 million more than had been authorized. To date, the superintendent has not provided a clear or consistent explanation of how this happened or what steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence. Most importantly, rather than reduce spending in our next budget to make up the deficit, the town accountant has mentioned the potential of raising taxes to pay for it, which could be an additional 5% added to your real estate tax bill on top of the rising annual increases that seem to have become the norm. In other words, because the school department has spent money irresponsibly, taxpayers are expected to pay the bill as a consequence of a glaring lack of accountability of those responsible. Last year, $14,000 CASH went missing in the Music Department. Yet, to date, no one has been held accountable, and the superintendent has been vague on the issue. It's time for the taxpayers to send a message that the answer to every financial need is not an automatic increase in taxes, because as we all know, once taxes go up to pay for such things, they are inclined to become part of the permanent baseline from which future tax increases will be calculated. So, please consider contacting your town meeting representatives to express how you would like them to vote on this issue at September's town meeting. And it is time for the School Committee, Ways and Means Committee, and Town Meeting to STOP rubber stamping every financial request that the school department makes. Long-time residents of Burlington are having to sell their homes because they can't afford the consistently growing tax increases largely caused by the school department. Gary B. Kasky Town Meeting Member Precinct 6
