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What will it cost me? Find out here 59% Wilson reimbursement guarantee Champions info for Natick Seniors (requires Acrobat) Sort out myth from truth at Fact & Fallacy Read the NO Committee Mailer and our response Q: Which vote made economic sense? A: YES on #9. More Q&A Get an education at our Information Center Past 6 month's news is up in the Press Room! SIX Reasons why YOU voted YES on #9 4 newspapers and over 800 people and groups endorsed Question #9 including: MetroWest News - Natick Tab - Boston Globe - Natick Bulletin - Natick Center Associates - MetroWest Chamber of Commerce |
How to contribute to the local Tax Relief Fund Please take 30 seconds to read The Daily Flash! How you can help Volunteer/Donor Reply and Endorsement Forms You attended forums, asked questions, got information Please contact us Join an email list for updates and info |
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| Notice: Information on this web site may be reproduced and shared, unaltered and fully sourced as follows: Natick Champions for Education - http://natickchampions.net |
| Updates
The MetroWest Daily News, The Boston Globe, The Natick Tab and The Natick Bulletin have all endorsed Question 9. Read why here. Please attend or tune in to the debates that began Monday, October 23. See for yourself who is offering specific solutions, and who is still promoting delay, denial and misinformation. Seniors on fixed incomes should know about the wide range of tax and fee assistance programs in Natick. On Monday, October 16, the Natick Board of Selectmen voted 3-2 to support Question 9, with Jay Ball, Charlie Hughes and Paul McKinley in support, and Ed Carr and Mel Willens opposed. We thank the majority for their leadership and their recognition that passage of Question 9 is vital for all of Natick. The MetroWest Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has voted unanimously to support the debt exclusion override, stating that "The Chamber recognizes that an educated workforce is a key to the continued economic vitality of Natick and MetroWest. The available middle school classrooms in Natick are inadequate for current and anticipated increases in enrollment. The proposed construction of a new Wilson Middle School and improvements to the Kennedy Middle School will provide the modern resources necessary to prepare the children of Natick for their role in the economy of the future. The current formula for state reimbursement of construction costs makes the passage of this debt exclusion override very timely." Read the endorsement here. Natick Town Meeting voted on October 5 to build a new Wilson Middle School, and make repairs to Kennedy Middle School, subject to approval by a majority of Natick voters on November 7. This is the third time that Town Meeting has approved the Middle School projects by a 2/3 majority vote. In a unanimous vote in favor of a new school, the October 2 School Committee meeting concluded the independent peer review of the recommended Wilson Middle School plan, and of an alternative renovation/ new construction concept proposed by Natick resident Scott Humphrey. The review indicated that while the alternative concept is valid, it will offer a cost savings of only $745,000 over a new building, after State reimbursement is calculated, and that these savings are very uncertain given both the nature of renovation projects and the extended project schedule. Wilson Middle School would be a construction site for 26 months, and academics and pupil services would be compromised during this period. The September 25 School Committee featured a preliminary report by the architect who is leading a team that is performing a comprehensive evaluation of Natick High School, for which a renovation is likely to be recommended in the coming years. The draft report was delivered at Town meeting and is available here. Please check the schedule of debates and discussions on our Forums page. State Representative David Linsky has endorsed the November 7 ballot question, stating that "the most important objective is we need to have a Wilson Middle School that meets all our needs, that can last a long time and we can be proud of. We don't have that right now." Note: we need your endorsement too! The Middle School Building Committee will be working in open meetings to oversee planning for a new Wilson school even as its financing is in question pending an override election. In order to qualify for the reimbursement under which the project was submitted to the state reimbursement authority, the project plans must be developed on schedule. For more news updates, click here for recent News articles, or check Town Online. |
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| Notice: Information on this web site may be reproduced and shared, unaltered and fully sourced as follows: Natick Champions for Education - http://natickchampions.net |
| Our
Case
Natick Champions for Education is an independent Natick citizen's committee to promote a Debt Exclusion Override to fund both a new Wilson Middle School and improvements to Kennedy Middle School. We are a townwide, diverse organization, and we welcome and need your participation in any way you can help. It is the voters of Natick who will decide on Tuesday, November 7th whether Natick will plan responsibly, or pay the financial and educational consequences. We need everyone who can help, to do so. This means you - we need thousands of voters, and hundreds of volunteers to prevail. The Town faces an imminent crisis of increased enrollment and deteriorating facilities, and must take immediate action. To delay a solution will penalize both Natick schoolchildren and Natick taxpayers. We want Natick's voters to have accurate information and an opportunity to make a well-informed decision. Schools and education are not interchangeable, of course. Learning happens in many ways and places. But Natick's middle schools are simply too small and too outdated to meet the educational mandates of today, let alone the challenges of tomorrow. The building solution we advocate is reasonable, affordable and unavoidable; it will complement the work of Natick's teachers; and most importantly, it will help generations of Natick school children receive a quality public education of which we can all be proud. Is there a "better" solution? Perhaps! But there is no "better solution" that costs less. Years and years of study and open meetings make the case. And there is no less expensive solution that will solve our middle school space and facility problems. So we can either delay action, ultimately spending more and compromising education, or we can do the right thing now and move forward together responsibly. |
| top of page |
| Notice: Information on this web site may be reproduced and shared, unaltered and fully sourced as follows: Natick Champions for Education - http://natickchampions.net |
| Links of possible interest. Your
suggestions are welcome.
Community Education |
| Lawn Sign Vandalism
October 28, 2000 Natick Champions for Education condemns and regrets any and all theft and vandalism of lawn signs in Natick. In recent weeks, both YES and NO signs have been stolen, knocked over, or damaged, and police reports have been made in many cases by both sides. Such behavior by any individual, for or against any referendum or candidate, is wrong for many reasons and is never justifiable. We are sure that Natick Citizens for Responsible Government feels the same way, and that whatever our differences in offering Natick a solution to the Middle School enrollment and facilities crisis, we share a respect for freedom of political expression, civil behavior and private property. Chris Weithman,
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| The
Daily Flash for Wednesday, November 8 Natick has spoken.
Thank you, Natick voters, for making the right decision and supporting Yes on #9. The Town can now move ahead with a responsible plan to upgrade our Middle Schools, and provide a good teaching and learning environment where children can excel. Many Natick residents invested much time, effort, money and passion in this campaign. For those of us on the Yes side, our efforts were rewarded because of the inclusion, patience, leadership, energy and dignity that the volunteers and supporters brought to this campaign. To those who voted No, we understand your concerns, and we look forward to making common cause together in Natick to strengthen our community and make it a good place for us all. There is much more that unites us than divides us. Natick is home to us all. [back] |
| The
Daily Flash for Tuesday, November 7 Today is election
day!
Together for Natick Schools, we can make a great choice for our children, for ourselves, for our neighbors and for our Town by voting YES on Question 9 on the back side of the ballot. Question 9 will build Natick a new Wilson Middle School with 59% guaranteed state funding, and will also upgrade Kennedy Middle School, funded by an override that will increase taxes by an average of $58 per household over 25 years. Question 9 will relieve serious overcrowding at both schools, and replace an obsolete Wilson school that, along with overcrowding, makes teaching and learning a daily challenge. Question 9 asks your permission to raise taxes temporarily, but the alternative (NO) is not free. The problems cost more to fix piecemeal than to solve outright, and voting NO will create hardships for our community now and tomorrow that we can avoid by voting YES on 9. This election concludes years of work and planning, and months of campaigning, and gives the voters the final choice. May we choose wisely for Natick! Please vote YES on 9, and thank you. click here for a message to our volunteers and supporters. [back] |
| The
Daily Flash for Monday, November 6
A Special
Edition for voters intending to vote NO on Question 9
We respect the sincere beliefs
of those who intend to vote No on Question 9. Throughout this campaign,
we have tried to address the many valid concerns of all residents.
We have learned a lot: some NO voters oppose any overrides; and some just this one, while some want to "send a message" about past Town decisions. Some believe that there are unexplored options that would better solve the middle school issues, while some believe that we should package this and all future school projects together, despite the unknowns that make it impossible to do so responsibly. For these or for other reasons, some just do not accept the belief that we promote: that the very best time for Natick to solve this problem is right now. If, for whatever reasons, you intend to vote NO, please understand that the consequences of a NO vote will not be lower taxes. Natick cannot avoid the cost of solving the middle school problems, but we have the power on Tuesday to choose how, and how much to pay. Please understand that NO will not undo past Town decisions; the message of a NO vote will be received not by yesterday's town leaders, but by today's children and tomorrow's taxpayers. NO will not provide any less expensive middle school options, and NO will not deliver 59% guaranteed state funding. Looking ahead, NO will set back, not further, the public process of planning the High School renovation and future school building projects. A NO vote cannot undo the past, but it can undo the future, straining our resources for Town services by forcing a more expensive Middle School solution on you and all Natick taxpayers, and straining our teachers and students at a time when we ask so much of them. The people who will really lose if 9 fails will be the taxpayers of Natick, and the children of Natick, who never had a vote either way.
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| The
Daily Flash for Sunday, November 5 Today is a good day
to give thanks for the community we have, and for the support of all who
are trying to keep it strong and improve our schools.
Imagine addressing a crowded room of important people, with an obligation to recognize all their individual contributions in one minute. Here's what to say: "There are a lot of Important People in the room, and you all know who you are." So it is today with our campaign for Natick, except that every single person is important. So many have done so much to help our schools and our Town through this effort, that to thank you all individually would be impossible. But we can see what we have done as individuals, and what neighbors and friends and strangers have done, and we can give thanks that we live in a community where people come together for a good cause. Voters, volunteers, teachers, seniors, children, parents, and family members who pick up the slack: thanks to one and all. [back] |
| The
Daily Flash for Saturday, November 4 Natick Champions for
Education and other advocates for Question 9 have been pressing the case
that NO Costs More. In reply, we are often asked, "Why?"
Why does NO cost more? Because we have to provide space for all the students at both overcrowded middle schools; we have to fix the most serious problems at Wilson; and the short-term solutions for both are expensive and non-reimbursable by the state. And, down the road, we would still have to replace the Wilson Middle School. Why are we saying this? Because we care about the entire town, and since the entire town shares the cost of the schools, voters must understand the educational AND financial implications of a NO vote. In 1999, most voters did not know the real costs of a NO vote. The children are real, and the costs are real. YES helps us all! [back] |
| The Daily Flash for
Friday, November 3 State Representative David Linsky and
State Senators Cheryl Jacques and David Magnani have helped bring generations
together by sponsoring and promoting the new Senior Property Tax Credit.
This law will provide a state income tax credit or rebate of up to $750
for senior homeowners on limited incomes, which far exceeds the amount
of the Debt Exclusion Override. It will make a real difference for
many Natick seniors.
Natick Champions for Education is helping to spread the good news. If you have a family member, friend or neighbor who should know about this new law, they should contact Representative Linsky's office at 617-722-2110. For information on this, or many other opportunities for property tax assistance, please contact the Natick Assessor for more information. [back] |
| The Daily Flash for
Thursday, November 2 Natick Champions for Education is
an immense volunteer effort - perhaps the largest in Natick history for
a political organization. This cause has brought together diverse
people, generations and viewpoints around the common goals of providing
good schools for children, and a sound fiscal plan for the Town.
Of many alternatives considered in an open public process, Question #9
is the responsible, consensus solution.
Whether you are a voter or a volunteer, whether you became active in this issue in 1997 or just this week, you have a stake in the success of Question 9. We thank you for your support on November 7th, as will Natick generations for decades to come. [back] |
| The Daily Flash for
Wednesday, November 1 Please ask a neighbor to vote Yes
on Question 9! Let's take pride in Natick's achievements. Let's
acknowledge the great things we can do together as a community. Let's
invest in the dreams of every generation.
Taxes are just half of the price of good government, and Natick's taxes are is still relatively low while the services are high. The other half is citizenship, and the real key to Natick's prosperity and responsible growth is citizen participation in Town government. So be informed! Get involved! You can make a difference. [back] |
| The Daily Flash for
Tuesday, October 31 A YES vote will TREAT Natick Taxpayers
to 59% state reimbursement for a 900-pupil Middle School. A NO vote
will TRICK voters into paying for 17 modular classrooms and costly band-aid
repairs with no state funding. Boo!
Please play safely this Halloween. [back] |
| A message to our volunteers
and supporters
The words "thank you" are inadequate to describe the gratitude you are due. Your willingness to help, your creativity, your energy, your perseverance and your teamwork have met the highest standards for volunteerism and community spirit. This campaign has been sustained by hundreds and hundreds of people, in countless ways. Over and over again, we have received questions, ideas, donations, suggestions and feedback that reflect both the individual ways that people have sought to help, and the sense of community we share in Natick. And for each volunteer, there is often a family member or even an employer helping to lighten the load; they too deserve our thanks. Even if you are never thanked individually - and you can never be thanked enough - please recognize that you have made a difference for Natick in which you should take great pride and satisfaction. After election day, we can all continue to live, work and play in Natick with the knowledge that this campaign was positive and dignified, and successfully brought out the good in all of us. We truly are Together for Natick Schools, with thanks to all of you. |
