To the Editor,
Between 2020- 2023, the Manchester Essex Regional School District’s in-district expenditures per pupil increased $5,097, but enrollment dropped by 149 students. Between 2023-25, MERSD’s enrollment lost 31 students (source: “School and District Profiles,” MA DOE).
The number of Manchester and Essex students keeps decreasing, but the cost per pupil keeps increasing.
Massachusetts voters passed Prop 2 & 1/2 in 1980, in part because of impact of high inflation on town budgets in the 1970’s. Since 1990, the Town of Essex voted on overrides 31 times. 14 overrides passed; 17 overrides failed. Of those 31 overrides, 11 were for school funding, with 6 passes, 5 failures (source: DLS, MA Dept of Revenue).
Prior to 2024, Essex didn’t have an override for 18 years.
In 2024, school funding represented 51% of the Essex town budget. Other department budgets are held at 2% growth YoY.
I agree that the middle and high school deserve a full-time librarian. It’s cool … the high school offers a film-noir class. But given looming capital expenditures like a new elementary school and replacing the town’s water pipes, a class on Double Indemnity must go. Do I want a 9% district budget increase? It’s not for the children - it’s to cover the 27% YoY healthcare increase.
Any budget is about income, not just expenses; capabilities, not just needs and wants. Essex doesn’t have the tax base to afford unconditional support to the school district. Solutions? Cut the school budget. Get the district efficiency study passed in Manchester. Raise town revenue with pro-business approaches. Donate to Spaulding Education Fund. Have a fundraiser to help the school replenish the reserve fund.
As the district budget proposal currently stands, it will be an uphill climb to get the Essex voters to pass an override.
