Opinion: Prioritize Dartmouth’s Public Schools

To the Editor:

For too long, Dartmouth’s public schools have been asked to do more with less. Our school department’s budget has taken a backseat to other town departments year after year - directly impacting our teachers, classrooms, and students.

As a Dartmouth resident, parent, town employee, and voting member, I believe it’s time to make our schools a true priority. The strength of our community depends on the strength of our schools. When education is underfunded, it’s our children - and Dartmouth’s future - that pay the price.

I strongly support Select Board member Mr. Tatelbaum’s recommendation to make school budget prioritization an explicit goal of the Board this year. This is not just a budget decision - it’s a statement about what Dartmouth values most.

Our students deserve more than what’s left after every other department’s needs are met. They deserve our best effort, our full attention, and our investment.

There is a growing number of town residents and voters who share this belief and are ready to support leaders who put education at the forefront of their decisions. The time is now to correct the imbalance of recent years.

Megan Wakefield
Dartmouth Resident, Town Employee, and Parent