Resident Testimonials: Who Is Supporting Acton's Override?

As an advocate for public education, a resident, and parent of 3 children, I am in support of the Acton override. Acton has a long and proud tradition of academic excellence and this override is an investment in our community's future. I recognize that some residents may have concerns about the financial impact of this override. I hope we can address this issue working with the local, state, and federal government. As an elected official, I understand the importance of fiscal responsibility.  However, I also believe that investing in our children's education is the best investment we can make for the future of our community. A strong public school system is essential for a thriving economy, a well-informed citizenry, and a brighter future for all.

-Dan Sena, Representative of the 37th Middlesex District and parent of current AB students 

After 14 years in real estate, I've noticed that the strong public school system is a significant factor motivating families to buy homes in Acton. In a recent conversation with a client who currently rents in Lexington, concerns about the Acton school district's financial situation arose, leading her to question whether moving to Acton remains a wise choice. As someone who has lived in Acton for over 20 years and is a parent to teenagers in the AB school system, I'm deeply concerned about the potential impact on both property values and our children's education if we fail to support our exceptional town.

-Nicole Magun, local Realtor and parent of current AB students

 As a high school senior and someone who has been fortunate enough to experience the resources and opportunities that Acton has to offer, I support an override. My fellow students and I are concerned that cuts and funding loss will take away from valuable opportunities that make Acton-Boxborough so great. A big reason AB has historically been competitive academically is because of the investments towards clubs and extracurricular activities which push students into more learning and help them develop unique skills. Without continued support of the schools, AB and its students will not be as successful.

- Advikar Ananthkumar, current ABRHS student

 I fully support an override for the Acton-Boxborough school district. When my family first moved to AB, one of the main reasons was the school district. Over the years, the status of the school has been decreasing. Not only have opportunities for the students decreased, but so has the quality of education. This override is important not only to the students now in high school, but also for future generations. I have a younger sister in junior high, and I would hate it if the classes my sister prefers aren't available to her because of the budget deficit. These changes are not just numbers on a balance sheet; they represent lost opportunities for the next generation.This is why I fully support the override for the AB school district.

- Prakhar Shukla, current ABRHS student

I support an override for our schools and town. I would rather vote for an override that funds the schools and avoids these cuts that will make it even more challenging to meet the needs of students and staff. The reduction of the budget any further risks a decline in the quality of our school district. We have been fortunate for many years to stall an override by shifting resources to new priorities and by deferring projects. We have benefited greatly from the excellent school system and town services that are available to us. For me, this is the best investment we can make for our future -- investing in our town and schools. Education helps our children develop their creativity, collaborative skills, and develop critical and free thinking -- and I think we can all agree that the world needs more individuals with insightful perspectives. The best value I can add to my home is to invest in my schools and my town.

- Stella Ko, parent of two AB grads, now ages 28 and 29

 As a parent of kids in the Acton-Boxborough schools and a local Realtor for the last 15 years, I deeply appreciate the significance of schools on a town’s desirability. In my own experience as a homeowner, the reputable schools were a big factor in my family's decision to live in Acton. As a Realtor working with buyers, the strength of a school system weighs heavily on where families' with school-aged children decide to buy in this competitive market. 

- Stefanie Clifford, local Realtor and parent of current AB students

I am a student at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School who has noticed the effects of the budget cuts on our school and is worried about the future consequences. Many students are concerned about the potential firing of our beloved teachers. In addition to this, the cut classes will decrease the diversity of options students were previously able to explore. Mental health services and support for students who need it will also be cut. Students will not only be affected actively during their school year through class sizes and what classes they can take, but also economically. The proposed budget means that there will be an increase in athletic fees, senior parking tickets, preschool, and kindergarten tuition, as well as adding a new activity fee for students in junior high and high school who want to attend clubs. This is unfair to students with financial hardship and will prevent many from exploring their passions and hobbies in high school, which is arguably the most beneficial period to discover their interests and majors for college. To summarize, the budget cuts will affect our day-to-day lives. I hope voters will hear my experiences and thoughts, and make sure that every student will have equal opportunities and resources they need to thrive academically and personally.

- Tina Li, current ABRHS student

Acton’s schools have been highly rated and ranked by a variety of sources for a long time. Our children, by and large, are high achieving, and most parents’ goals are to continue that achievement into adulthood. Kids have been served, as a majority, even in an imperfect system, by going on to good colleges, good tech-type schools, and successful lives. We are at cross-purposes, as parents and community citizens, if we do not work together to support this valuable community resource for a whole host of reasons, including our property values where most of us have our greatest long-term investment.

- Kimberly Bogdan Hurwitz, parent of two AB grads, ages 20 and 24

As a long-time Acton resident, I believe we have all benefited immensely from the quality of our schools. It has increased the value of our homes and, I’m sure, suppressed petty crime and vandalism. But most of all, it has allowed our children and our neighbors’ children to go out into a competitive world armed with an education that has allowed them to thrive. Moreover, the latest statewide data show that our per-pupil spending is 4 percent lower than the statewide average. Despite this, of the roughly 290 districts reporting SAT scores for 2022-2023, AB ranked tied for 3rd in reading and 2nd in math (trailing only the Massachusetts Academy for Math and Science). Our sons have been out of the school system for many years but we will vote for an override to maintain the quality of our schools.

- David Kelly, parent of two AB grads

I support an override for our school and town finances this fiscal year. We moved to Acton around the turn of the century primarily for the well-regarded schools. At the time, I recall being in an airport lounge in London, and overhearing people discussing the high standing of the AB high school, ranked near the top of all of the schools in the state. Failing to maintain the high standards of our school system is unthinkable to us, both because our outlandish housing value depends upon them, but more because we believe in the best public education we can provide, even though both of our daughters have long since graduated. We know overrides are difficult. The past several years have been difficult financially on almost all of us, including our teachers and staff, and we recognize and support the need to treat them with respect and we do not want to see the town put into a position of making multiple overrides in the coming years. We trust that the School Committee and the school administration are making thoughtful decisions about spending.

- Jim Carey, parent of two AB grads

I don't think the public understands the nuances of school finance -- I certainly don't, but I have learned a little (very little) recently. What I initially thought could be areas for potential savings (e.g. transportation) really aren't given the reimbursements from the state, not to mention the unintended consequences of needing crossing guards and sidewalks and a whole host of traffic and safety issues. Some of the suggestions and comments I hear from friends or neighbors or see on social media are based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the situation. It might be helpful to know how other nearby districts have enacted overrides in the past -- Shrewsbury approved a $9.5M override for FY22 -- they also approved a $5.5M override in FY15. Arlington approved overrides for $6M for FY06, $6.49M for FY12, $5.5M for FY20, and $7 million for FY25. Acton hasn't had an override since 2006 and even that was a general operating override, and not specific to the school district. To cut 90 positions after cutting 40 positions in the last two years would be devastating. It's not like we can just rehire all those educators if we realize halfway through the school year it was a mistake. Our children are our future. They have already lived through a pandemic. They need more support, not less.

- Rachel Wulsin, parent of two current AB elementary students

My wife and I chose Acton precisely for its outstanding school district. Like other families, we are investing in the promise of an exceptional educational opportunity for our children. A failed override greatly jeopardizes that hope.

As a veteran, Acton is special to me in other ways, too. After my period of service, Acton was not just another assigned duty station; Acton is our family’s choice to find belonging, build social connections, and strive to make our community better than we found it – especially for our young people.

By supporting the override, we are not just safeguarding our excellent school system. We are reaffirming our commitment to future K-12 learners. We are helping them acquire academic knowledge, gain life skills, build connections, and most of all, giving them the best chance for success in life, work, and citizenship.

-David J. Cote, USMCR retired