School budget override yes supporters are concerned about an attempt to undermine the passed override ballot vote at Thursday’s continued annual town meeting.
The town meeting is set to resume on Thursday, June 4 at 7 p.m. at Nipmuc Auditorium to approve all financial matters and a canine control bylaw.
A source, which wishes to remain anonymous, reported to Upton Daily there is an organized movement to change the school budget line item to level funding at the annual town meeting; which would mean 1.5 million dollars in cuts to the school district.
Upton Finance Committee Member Jonathan Calianos said, “If anyone at town meeting on June 4 asks the Moderator to hold the District’s line items when discussing Article 3 (school budget), then there will be discussion on the specific line items held. Anyone can seek to reduce (or increase) the line items at the meeting by motion, after they hold the specific lines.” According to Calianos if such action was taken it would be equal to Upton voting “no” on the school budget and would kick the budget back to the school committee and potentially to a joint town meeting.
Calianos said the committee voted to recommend favorable action on the School District’s budget as requested, without any modification.
Upton Selectman Ken Picard said the override request has gotten over two hurdles so far. “The third hurdle is an affirmative vote of the Regional School District’s overall budget at the upcoming town meeting,” said Picard.
Concerned supporters are asking every yes voter to attend Thursday’s meeting.
Free babysitting will be available at the meeting.
UPTON DAILY 
Thanks for publicizing this caveat in how our town government works. I, for one, was unaware of it (though i had planned to attend anyway). To all yes voters, please attend and bring your passionate voice with you!
All Upton people should be concerned ! Yes or no we all have a vote and should use it the way we think is best.
I hope people understand that even if you do not have kids in the school system, that the education of our country is our country’s very future. We are ranked 25th out of 50 developed countries for our school system. If the current budget doesn’t go through this could mean the classrooms would be packed to 30+ kids per classroom again. This would mean 7 + teachers cut just at the Elementary school alone. Come on PEOPLE STAND UP for our CHILDREN’s FUTURE. Also realize that your house’s property value is DIRECTLY influenced by how strong our school system is. so I hope the commenter above who says things are out of control is referring to how out of control it is that our children’s future is up for a vote every year. This is a no brainer, this school budget passing as is benefits EVERYONE. Please think hard on this.
You are a misguided and uneducated voter. The vote should remain no and living within our means is at the best interest of all in these lame towns.
Cool. Hadn’t heard but gives the folks that think things are out of control some hope. See you there.