An editor must have picked that really misleading headline without reading the article ! The proposed FY 2014 HWRSD budget would go up less than 1%, as you acknowledge in the body of your article. Of course, we won't have the benefit of last year's one-time revenue sources, which we all knew were special, didn't we? In contrast to this 0.83% increase in forecast school spending, note that Hamilton's current budget projection has a 2% increase for town spending. I hope the Patch can do a better job next time--many readers don't get past the headlines.

"That would mean the so-called assessment to each town would go up by 10 percent to fund the 2014 budget with level services and no further non-property tax revenue"..........hmmmmmm....so what exactly does this mean to my budget.....does anyone care?

Lynnette, I agree with your observation. I read a 0.9% increase which is less than 1% - not 10% as The Patch is reporting. Patch editor, can you clarify and re-title the article?

The budget as presented would require 10% more money from the towns, on average (11% more from Hamilton and 10% more from Wenham) over this year. In real numbers, that is about $700,000 for Wenham and $1.6 million for Hamilton. The assessments to the town are based on the amount that needs to be raised by taxes, after accounting for all other non-tax revenue. In this case it is not increased spending that is potentially driving up the assessment, but instead a decrease in non-tax revenue. What was presented on Thursday does not show use of any E&D money, which made up 25% of this year's non-tax revenue.

Time to brush off the schools operational audit? There is much that can be done to have great schools and run them more efficiently. Please rememberbthst the operational audit was passed overwhelmingly by both yowv's TM. Time to get to work.

Time to brush off the schools operational audit. There is much that can be done to have great schools and run them more efficiently. Please remember that the operational audit was passed overwhelmingly by both town's
TM. Time to get to work.

I agree that the headline could be misleading. To me, "level services" implies that we want to do the same thing next year as we have done this year. We can do better...maintain and improve school services While reducing costs in an intelligent way. We should be reducing the overall budget by thee percent.

New numbers that have just been released show that things are getting worse for American families. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, median household income declined to $50,054 in 2011. That is a 1.5 percent decline from the previous year, and median household income has now fallen for 4 years in a row. In fact, after adjusting for inflation median household income has not been this low since 1995. These new numbers once again confirm what so many of us have been talking about for so long - American families are steadily getting poorer. Incomes are going down and the cost of living just keeps going up. This dynamic is squeezing more Americans out of the middle class every single month. Others just keep going into more debt in an attempt to maintain their previous lifestyles. As Americans, we really don't like to hear that things are getting worse and that we are in decline, but unfortunately that is exactly what is happening. Our economy does not produce nearly enough jobs for everyone anymore, the proportion of low wage jobs in our economy continues to grow, and the middle class is shrinking at an alarming rate. Our politicians can deliver speeches about how great we all are until the cows come home, but it isn't going to change the reality of our situation. If we want different results we have got to start taking different actions. So how does this translate to a 10% yearly increase. Real Leaders find a way to balance the budget, with cuts or VAT taxes.

So did they vote in school choice for next year?

Does anyone know if they voted on whether or not to allow school choice for 2012/13?

Most people in Hamilton have money, but there is no one home upstairs :-)

Whereever you stand, the current headline is misleading. A more accurate one would be something along the lines of: 'Level Services' School Budget would rise 0.83 %, require 10 % increase from towns. Patch editor - any reason not to correct this? It would then accurately reflect the facts as stated in the content of the article, as well as the points you made in your response above.

Suggested headlines: ~1. Depleted Revenue Source Could Cause 10% Increase in Town Cost for Schools. ~2. Less Revenue Translates to More Costs to Towns for School Budget. ~3. Schools Facing Budget Challenge with $2mil Less in Revenue. ~4. Meeting School Needs for 'FY 14 with Reduced Revenues Means 10% Increase in Town Allocations.

Suggested headline: "School Spending Supporters Continue Campaign of Complaint and Confusion."

Robert is correct... It is well past time to initiate and implement the numerous efficiencies recommended by the Operational Audit. Superintendent Harvey has stated he would do so once he became grounded in his new position. That time has arrived. Taxpayers should not have to wait any longer for school efficiencies that were clearly pointed out in the Operational Audit's detailed report.

Jay and Robert are right! The new Superintendent and newly elected School Committee members need to revisit the $90,000.00 Operational Audit report. We all know that not all of the 125 recommendations will work for the HWRSD but it has to be seriously analyzed again! Want to see an interestsing fact.... go onto the boston.com website snapshot and check out "costs per student". If you take the benchmark towns used in the Blue Ribbon report and the Operational Audit you will find that the average cost per student is $12,000.00! Guess what the HWRSD spends?? $14,000.00 !!!. check it out ... http://www.boston.com/yourtown/specials/snapshot/snapshot_mass_student_cost_2011/