Letter to the Editor: Regarding Dartmouth Public Schools' budget needs

I have lived in Dartmouth for 29 of my 40 years.  I was a student in Dartmouth Public Schools, I taught at Dartmouth High School for nearly 10 years, and now I am the parent of a Quinn School Student.  As a student, teacher, and parent, I see the impact and value of a Dartmouth education. 

When my husband and I were looking to buy a home together, we looked at the surrounding area and I really wanted to move to Dartmouth so our daughter, only six months old at the time, could have the same experiences I had.  Summers spent at Round Hill; making friends at school that she would keep till adulthood; robust opportunities like AP courses and Marching Band, taught by highly qualified educators. Dartmouth motto for the public schools is Quality Learning for All.  It seems that this won't be the case in the future.

The FY27 budget proposed by the Town Administrator's Office for the Public School system does not even allow the school department to meet the contractual obligations it has.  A 3.5% budget increase means that positions will be cut, student support services will be limited, and staff/faculty will be working with even less funding and support. 

In what way is "Quality Learning" fewer paraprofessionals? In what way is "Quality Learning" larger class sizes? In what way is "Quality Learning" offering fewer opportunities to students year over year? $841,124 less in FY27 means a lesser education for our children.

Maybe we need a little Michael Jackson interlude here: Children are our future.  If Dartmouth does not change its funding of the school system, we will not have a future.  No one wants to move to a town with sub-par educational opportunities.  If funding cuts continue, that's what will happen here.

The Select Board must take this issue seriously.

Thank you for your consideration,