Submitted by Tara Kohler, Fairhaven Superintendent of Schools
Our schools are something this community has every reason to be proud of. Every day, I see our educators, staff, and students doing the hard work of creating safe, supportive, and high-quality learning environments. That commitment is the foundation of Fairhaven, and it remains as strong as ever. What has changed, however, is the financial reality we face behind the scenes.
For years, our district has worked diligently to be responsible stewards of your tax dollars. We have sought out grants, built strategic partnerships, and made difficult decisions to protect the classroom experience. But we have reached a point where belt-tightening and “stretching a dollar” are no longer enough to keep pace with rising costs and the increasing needs of our students. The base budget approved by the School Committee, Select Board, and Finance Committee simply maintains what is in our schools today, however forces a merging of our preschool program.
It is important to view our schools not just as an educational necessity, but as a vital economic engine for the Town of Fairhaven. Protecting our schools is a direct investment in Fairhaven’s fiscal health. The override funding request brought forward by the Fairhaven School Committee and Select Board for your consideration is focused on restoration. Specifically, this funding will:
• Restore two elementary teaching positions that were previously lost to budget shortfalls
• Restore a vital Special Education program at the Wood School, correcting an issue cited by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
• Maintain neighborhood Preschool programs at both East and Wood Elementary Schools
Strong schools do not happen by accident; they happen when a community chooses to stand behind them. I am urging all Town Meeting members, and any resident interested in serving our town as a town meeting member, to join us this Saturday, May 2nd at the Walter Silveira Auditorium at the Hastings Middle School at 8:30 a.m. A “Yes’ vote on Article 9 is a vote for the democratic process. It simply moves the Proposition 2 1/2 decision to a general election ballot, allowing the entire community to decide.
Thank you for your continued support of our educators and, most importantly, our students. I look forward to seeing you at Hastings Middle School as we work together to protect the future of Fairhaven.
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