For Reading Selectmen, It's Time To Pick a Number

Would you be willing to vote yes on a $5 million override? If no, how about $4.5 million? Or $4.25 million? Where is the line at which 50.0001 percent of Reading voters would support an override? If you're a member of the Reading Board of Selectmen, that last question is the only one that matters today.

Though School Superintendent John Doherty has asked for roughly $3 million in override funds, and Town Manager Bob LeLacheur has listed just shy of $1.8 million, the actual figure isn't set and will be decided by the selectmen and voted on Jan. 30. If John Arena, Barry Berman, Andy Friedmann, Dan Ensminger and John Halsey feel that "line" is less than $4.8 then it will be up to them to decide what to cut and how far to drop the figure.

Lost in the emotions and numbers of Thursday night's School Committee meeting was many of the details of Doherty's plan to renew Reading Schools with "exciting changes that are sustainable." With a rainy weekend ahead, take the time and give item 7 in the plan a look and see what you think.

And if you're hoping to catch-up on the entire week, here's your chance:

On Monday, the School Committee's balanced budget was presented.

On Tuesday, the town's budget along with override requests was presented.

On Wednesday, it was Day 2 of the School Committee budget discussion along with a recap of town budget.

On Thursday, it was public comment time, along with the school override budget.

The meetings are also available on RCTV.