Each of us has a choice about the future of Melrose

Dear Melrose,

We want to start by thanking you for engaging in the debate and discussion of this override. We are at a critical moment for Melrose. Each and every person that has reached out to this campaign has further invested themselves into this wonderful city. But, we are now near the end. Our vote is near and we must choose.

History drives us to where we are today. Looking back on Melrose, we’ve been here before but we had different solutions available. As published recently in the Melrose Weekly, 1949 was the year that Melrose began work on the Horace Mann School, responding to a rapidly growing population. Melrose continued to be a popular place to live throughout that decade and schools were a growing budget need. In 1959, the city budget expanded by almost 7% in one year (to $4,284,071!), with 73% of the increase being needed in school funding. Under current state law passed in 1980, this kind of increase to meet this funding need would require a city-wide vote, the vote we are debating today.

Under the restrictions of Prop. 2 ½, Melrose has for years focused on alternative revenue and belt tightening, knowing that voters are hard pressed to increase their own taxes. Combined with regular inflation cost increases, the growth of student population (260 in the last 5 years) has dramatically increased the pressure on our local property tax dollars. In the FY2019 budget, 66% of the annual allowable tax increase was allocated to the schools, much like 1959, starving other departments of needed funds. But, the growth continues to come and, unlike 1959, the city cannot simply raise taxes to meet a pressing budget need. It must ask the voters, and Melrose has not said “yes” in 26 years.

Since this campaign began it was about One Melrose, and the future of Melrose for all residents. We are all affected by the decision we make next week, whether we have children in schools, use particular city services, or if we simply use the cities sidewalks or roads. We have done everything we can to get information to every voter in this city. There is no room for misunderstanding or misconceptions with so much at stake for Melrose.

Like you, we've learned more than we ever bargained for. We've learned about Melrose's dramatically low net school spending hovering just above state minimum requirements, landing 12th from the last in the state per pupil, and only including only $6 per student for art. We've learned about how our schools could not replenish basic school supplies this year, and how our student enrollment is expected to grow by more than 800 students in the next 10 years. We’ve learned about how our teachers are paid less than any of our neighbors, and in the bottom 12% of any school district in the state. We’ve learned about the many hundreds of parents volunteering countless hours to provide basic school services. We’ve learned about how close to the edge our city services really are, the library near losing accreditation, sidewalk repairs 3 years behind, and only 5 hours a week of social support at the senior center.

Our city is on the brink. Good fortune and good management has staved off deep cuts and the need for an override until this year. But not without losses along the way. Melrose has lost key staff, including principals, with 4 teacher positions laid off this year alone. Revenues are expected to grow slower than the needs for city and school services by $2-3 million next fiscal year. The city is obligated to spend minimum levels for schools, bargained contracts with public safety and public works, healthcare, and capital expenses. Our services will suffer, our city will suffer.

In this moment of civic and community need we can come together to avoid this fate and truly show we are OneMelrose. We have a plan. We can ensure our schools are not overcrowded, and our teachers have the support and space they need. We can ensure that our community can provide all the wonderful services that make this place special, from inter-generational dances to a vibrant foreign language program. Each of us has a choice about the future of Melrose, and each of us can provide for that future by voting Yes on April 2.

Alison Sarnoski and Lisa Lewis
OneMelrose