Supporters of New Glover Reach Out to State

Supporters of a new Glover School have written to the state, asking for a little more time to get a property tax override passed to fund the $29 million project.

Voters rejected the override last month, along with nine other tax hikes on the ballot. The Glover override would have increased the average tax bill by $126.55 a year for 20 years, for the median home valued at $512,000.

The Glover School Building Committee blamed the defeat on the large number of overrides put to voters at once. It points out that the question lost by just 71 votes. 

This week, the GSBC wrote to the Massachusetts School Building Association asking that it keep the Glover project in queue for a promised 40% reimbursement.

"If prudent steps are taken to educate the public, the project can gain approval and remain on track for its original schedule to open in September, 2013," wrote Patricia Blackmer, chair of the GSBC.

The group promised to redouble its efforts to sell the project to town voters in an override this fall.

"In the coming weeks, the committee will again review ways to reduce the project costs, although the current design is based on state standards with no extra 'bells and whistles.' Site work, materials, roof lines, etc. will be discussed again to make sure the project provides Marblehead and the MSBA with the best value for their respective investments."

To get the Glover override on a ballot again, the Board of Selectmen must call a Town Meeting and then schedule a special election.

Supporters say the situation is dire, necessitating a new vote. The Glover School's main building opened in 1916 and its walls and doors are cracked. The school's heating and ventilation systems are so old replacement parts aren't even available anymore. Classrooms are too small by state standards. The school's two buildings are not handicapped accessible.