Engage with the Issues and then Vote on Monday Dec 4!

As chairperson of the Committee for Systemwide Master Planning Before Building a New Preschool, I would like to remind voters about the election tomorrow December 4. Please look into all three debt exclusion issue and arguments before voting: do not accept our arguments nor our opponents arguments mindlessly.

Our ballot committee was formed to oppose the proposed free standing Lexington preschool on Pelham Road. Is the existing preschool well regarded? Yes. Is it mandated? Also yes. Does it have facility shortcomings? Yes, and voters should familiarize themselves with these shortcomings and another campaign has provided a Patch article written by the opposing yes campaign, where you can read some about these issues: https://patch.com/massachusetts/lexington/school-committee-member-urges-voters-check-your-facts.

Lexington families and school children face less than ideal situations at many of our schools, and this committee believes conditions are not ideal at the preschool, nor are they at many other Lexington facilities.

Our position differs from our opponents in that we do not move from an identified need and detailed planning to agreeing the town should build a single story preschool on Pelham Road. Looking holistically at the town budget, we believe (a) that taxpayers are hitting real fiscal constraints, (b) driving older residents out of town worsens the enrollment crisis we already have, (c) there are many opportunities to save money on other town expenditures (well beyond those cited by the No campaign, lexvote.org), and (d) the looming capital projects require a level of fiscal discipline beyond what has proven necessary for Lexington in the past.

We have examined the town financial projection for taxpayers, and believe it understates the true cost of addressing the continuing enrollment crisis. We have projected for taxpayers an added 44% tax burden over 10 years, increasing the median tax bill to $17,770. Our handouts are found at https://planbeforepreschool.wordpress.com/presentations-handouts/. This increase in taxes will largely be driven by larger school enrollment issues, as elementary, middle and high school enrollments continue to mushroom across facilities with many patchwork solutions.

Today, Lexington has a well regarded educational system. However, without fiscal discipline, even this system is threatened. Will tomorrow's children be packed into larger classrooms? Will experienced master teachers be replaced by staff leading computer based training? Will relationships between students and with staff continue to have the warmth and caring which characterize their relationship today?

Lexington's ability to put it's financial house in order is necessary to maintain the quality of our excellent school system. We believe the town cannot afford all the projects which garner the attention of advocates, and must select only those projects which are necessary to achieve shared goals. In addition to this preschool project, there are many expenditures in town meeting which are not addressed towards this singular and critical crisis, and even proposals which will surely worsen the enrollment crisis.

Our representative and committee leadership is composed of volunteers. These individuals cherish Lexington, and work hard to implement their vision of Lexington, and when engaged with a broad swath of the community, they can work in the service of all taxpayers. Even beyond this election, we encourage all voters to contact town meeting members in their precinct and attend town meeting.

During this campaign, we have spoken with many Lexington residents who are concerned with rising tax costs. Some are seniors on fixed incomes, who cannot fathom why a high and ever increasing percentage of their income is consumed by local taxes. They often ask why the town does not have to manage to a budget. Others are those whose children have graduated, and are not faced with the choice of remaining in Lexington, or moving to the numerous Massachusetts communities with lower tax bills. Each time a member of our community leaves for financial reasons, Lexington's diversity is hurt, and our school enrollment crisis is amplified.

A strong Lexington is an inclusive Lexington, one in which we can work together to provide the best services for residents and students alike, but one which can be in balance with fiscal realities faced by residents. Most campaigns share the goal of a stronger Lexington tomorrow, but we have very different visions of how to get there.

On this campaign, we have worked tirelessly to share our vision of fiscal rigor with taxpayers during discussions of this debt exclusion, from the town meeting floor to discussions with taxpayers. We ask the reader to join us in voting no for the preschool debt exclusion. But whether or not these and other debt exclusions fail, the community must recognize there are many needs in our community, for students, taxpayers, and residents alike, and we should strive to have fact-based discussions and analyses which can provide transparency and assist voters in making the best decisions for the long term health of our community.

Please educate yourself about the issues. Read the various websites. Share them with friends and neighbors. Vote on Monday. But don't stop there. Be sure to communicate your concerns with town meeting members during December and January, so your representatives can understand the concerns you have about Lexington's future.