As a sophomore at Melrose High School, I know my school well. I know the quickest route to take to get to math on time, I know which teachers will let me store my soccer bag in their classroom, and I know which hallways to avoid during the busiest times of day. I also know what makes my school great.
MHS has dedicated teachers, whose capacity to advocate and care for their students makes class enjoyable and challenging. We have seemingly endless opportunities to get involved in clubs, sports, or the arts. We have fantastic equipment and facilities such as the new makerspace or the video production room, which are catalysts for learning and creativity. I have taken advantage of practically every opportunity presented to me - playing three sports, taking AP classes, joining a myriad of clubs, and taking part in the GEM and STEM Pathways.
On April 2nd, a decisive community vote will take place which has the ability to jeopardize the greatness of the school that has granted me and my classmates a multitude of opportunities. If the override, which will raise an additional $5.18 million in city revenue in support of the schools, does not pass the way my school operates will change and our already tight school budget will be reduced even further, impacting all of my classmates and those following in our trail.
A No vote on the override means we’ll have fewer teachers as the student body keeps growing due to increased transfers from private and charter schools, and the huge class sizes rising up from elementary schools. Any student, myself included, will tell you that their ability to learn is considerably compromised as the size of their class increases. There’s a profound difference between learning in a class of 20 students and a class of 30+ students -- and I’ve experienced both. No teacher, even the most competent and experienced, can effectively teach and maintain the attention of 30 or more students, nor can they provide adequate attention to every student in a class of that size. If the override does not pass, overpopulated classes will become the reality, and students will suffer.
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A No vote on the override would force classes that would otherwise thrive if separated by level to be taught in one class, by one teacher, with one lesson plan. How can AP level students be challenged if the teacher has to slow down the class to meet the needs of slower-paced learners? And how can CP level students reach an appropriate level of understanding if the teacher instead aims to challenge the faster-paced learners? The answer is simple: they can’t. Overpacked and shared-level classes are far less effective learning environments for the students and stretch the teachers far too thin.
A No vote on the override would result in other significant cuts in the school budget. For instance, freshman sports teams will be cut. To my count, that would include volleyball, boys and girls soccer, field hockey, football, softball, baseball, and boys and girls basketball. Also lost would be three junior varsity coaches. Every Melrose sports team, regardless of the level, is instrumental to the unparalleled athletic programs that our town is so proud to have. As an athlete myself, I know how essential playing sports is to fostering the development of my character and my leadership skills, as well as an avenue to build friendships with people I’d otherwise not meet. Without freshman and JV teams, a large number of students will lose that opportunity.
A No vote on the override means that the understaffed Guidance department will continue to be stretched. Junior year of highschool is widely considered to be the most important when applying to colleges, and I know from watching my brother, my cousins, and my friends that junior year is excruciatingly stressful. Many students turn to their guidance counselors for exactly what they are there for -- guidance. This entails narrowing down their college search, providing avenues and connections, advice to de-stress, college essay help, and a plethora of other assistance that falls under the guidance umbrella. Next year, I fully intend to take advantage of the help my guidance counselor has to offer as I prepare to apply to college. However, in a school bustling with more than 1,000 students and only four guidance counselors, their resources and ability to address the needs of all the students under their jurisdiction is stretched far too thin. Simultaneously being responsible for 250 students is a lot to handle. If the override were to pass, an additional guidance counselor would be added, allowing for each student to receive some of the individualized attention they need to succeed both during high school and after.
If I were old enough to vote, I would vote YES on April 2nd. I hope that the people in my community who are old enough to vote recognize the needs of our district as I do. Not just for my next two years at MHS, but for the future generations of students who will be walking in the same hallways as I do. I urge you to vote YES on April 2nd, for the prosperity of our school system and the success of our students.
