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To the Editor,
Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen a lot of discussion about the upcoming school budget override in Spencer. Much of it comes from real frustration, especially around taxes and the feeling that it’s always something new. That’s fair. But I also think some of the key facts are getting lost in the noise:
The proposed $264,456 override for the FY27 school budget isn’t about adding new programs or anything flashy. It’s about the basics that keep our schools running day to day; maintenance, heating and ventilation, utilities, and custodial staffing. Not the exciting stuff, but the things that matter when they don’t work. I’ve seen a number of comments suggesting these costs weren’t planned for or somehow weren’t included in the budget. That’s just not true, as they were. The issue is that even after significant cuts, there still isn’t enough to cover them.
Here are more facts, the district has already cut over $1 million from its original level-service budget, eliminated administrative budget lines, reduced 12 full-time positions, and used $133,496.29 in reserves. Those aren’t small adjustments, they’re real cuts with real consequences. And after all of that work, there’s still a gap.
Another point I keep hearing is that this is “just another tax” or that “it never stops.” I understand that reaction. But the reality is, these costs don’t disappear if the override fails. The budget still has to balance. The only difference is how that happens, and what gets cut next.
There’s also been a lot said about how we got here, especially around maintenance. That’s a fair conversation. But if anything, it proves the opposite of what some are arguing. When basic upkeep gets pushed off, it doesn’t save money, it just makes the problem bigger later. That’s exactly the cycle people say they want to stop.
At the end of the day, this isn’t about politics or buzzwords…it’s about trade-offs. For most homeowners, the impact is relatively small on a monthly basis…$5. On the other side of that decision are real reductions to the people and services that keep our schools operating.
Everyone will come to their own conclusion, and they should. But it’s worth asking one simple question before voting: if this doesn’t pass, what are you comfortable seeing cut next?
Sincerely,
Jeff Sauvageau
Spencer Resident
