Referendum Signature Results To Be Announced Later Today!

The independent group Save Our Schools will announce the total number of referendum signatures collected later today, according to the SOS blog. 

"Referendum petition results will be announced on Monday," wrote David Croston on the blog. "I want to thank all the volunteers who have been on the pavement this past week. We are counting twice and reviewing the forms this evening (Sunday). Stay tuned..."

SOS canvassed neighborhoods, the beach and transfer station this weekend in order to gather the necessary signatures needed for a referendum.

As of Saturday morning, SOS reported collecting a total of 1,100 signatures with an extra 100 or so picked up at the transfer station.

They need the names of 1,400 registered voters in order to secure a referendum. Just in case someone is not registered, the group hopes to gather at least 1,500 names.

On July 29, the SOS group submitted an official request for a referendum, asking for an additional $765,301 for the Portsmouth schools.

According to SOS, the amount represents a total school budget request of $36,293,021 or a 1.5 percent increase from fiscal year 2010.

If successful, according to SOS organizers, the referendum would increase taxes $0.204 per thousand or $71.44 annually for a home valued at $350,000.

Croston, who is also running for School Committee this year, is the SOS founder and spearheading the Sign and Drive campaign.

For more information about the Sign and Drive campaign or SOS, visit http://sosportsmouth.blogspot.com.