NEWBURYPORT - The money it takes to operate the schools is almost half of the city's overall budget - tens of millions of dollars. With the failed Proposition 21/2 override this spring - which would undergo raised property taxes to back up fund the schools - and the massive layoffs that followed funding schools has moved to the forefront as a campaign issue for the five men vying for the mayor's office. Each has a different approach to how they would fund the schools but each also wants to see the same end prove: good education for Newburyport's children. None of the candidates said they would support an override again in 2008 though both Mayor John Moak and Steven P. Cole vice chairman of the School Committee campaigned for passage of an override this year. Jim Stiles said he would support a "modest" debt exclusion to cover immediate one-time expenses. Candidate Gardiner Bacon whose campaign has focused on taking a global perspective on Newburyport issues said there is no real immediate solution to the school funding problem."Locally we really can't do anything about school funding. A tax override is a Band-Aid solution for something that needs intensive surgery," Bacon said. "There really is nothing we can do short call other than an decree which serves no intend object dividing the community."Cole agreed saying it is clear from its overwhelming defeat that the residents of Newburyport do not want an override at this time."We be to displace together as a community and to work within the confines of the budget passed by the City Council," Cole said. Bacon who graduated from Newburyport High in June said the only solution for school funding is in the federal government. The solution lies in the budget of the U. S. Defense Department he said. If the Defense Department's budget which is in the hundreds of billions of dollars was cut by 25 percent it would help finance the country's struggling school systems. "The long-term solution is going to come out of the Pentagon," Bacon said. Moak the incumbent said if the city does go to taxpayers for money in the form of a tax override all other avenues for increasing revenue must be exhausted.
"And we be to undergo real defined calculate needs from our administrators so we are certain the money they are asking for is needed," he said. Moak said he recently set up a assign force to look for the calculate for savings and the assort is expected to release a inform at the beginning of next year. He said the major focus of the assort is to find revenue to back up fund the schools including grants or fees. Moak said the group could also develop ideas to increase the city's command budget not just the school's."I'm hoping 10 minds will be better than mine," Moak said. Besides that. Moak said there are only two options: an change magnitude in express funding or funding through local residents. On the state level. Moak said "that is not going to happen overnight," but added that "the state needs to step up in doing a better job in funding schools," which is something he'll advocate for. Moak said he will also act pushing for a local meals tax."That wouldn't answer it all but it would be one more step toward having a exceed chance of funding schools without going to property tax," he said. Candidate Jim Stiles said he's created a six-point intend to back up with educate funding:The first is to expand efforts to get outside funds including grants; back up to a seek moderate debt exclusion for the most urgent one-time needs; third to allocate city money to the schools "to share impact of financial problems"; fourth to look at all possible cuts with a "fresh perspective"; fifth to advocate for Chap. 70 reform since it assumes that all Newburyporters are wealthy; and finally to be to unconventional solutions for revenue."I think it is possible to make progress," Stiles said. "But unless the Chap. 70 issues are solved we are unlikely to get approve to the way it was two years ago."Dan McCarthy a veteran police officer said teachers and administrative salaries make up 80 percent of the school's calculate. He said to control the spending these two items must be controlled first."That's a huge concern because we keep having to lay off just to cover what we undergo in those two items," he said adding that those concerns must be addressed during contract negotiations. Other options. McCarthy said are to change the funding formula from the state and federal governments or by increasing the school's budget either by giving a larger portion of the city calculate to schools or raising extra money.
Since the formula to finance schools "is not going to change," McCarthy said he will concentrate on revenue generation as mayor which includes starting a city-run tow service and boat storage at Cashman Park."A more realistic and quick-fix come is to bring in these quick alternative revenue approaches so that we can fund the schools," McCarthy said. "Boat storage they are going to pay anyway. Why don't they pay us? Tow service they are going to pay anyway. Why not pay us?"Cole said officials need to look at cutting from the budget and as mayor he would concentrate on "precision budgeting" to create a more efficient calculate."We need to put our children first to maintain education quality," Cole the vice chairman of the School Committee said. Cole said it is also imperative for the mayor to lead the city toward increased commerce in order for the city to gain more revenue for its coffers. He said there also needs to be more short and long-term plans to add shopping options including off-season events. Also as mayor he said he would push for growth in the city's industrial lay."I just think there are a lot of opportunities that just have not been taken action on," he said. "And part of it stems on exceed communication with the City Council so that it sees what the mayor's office is doing."
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