General responses to the discussion, without referring to any previous comments
in particular:
1) The school we built was the absolute smallest that the state would let us
build if we were to use state reimbursement to help (which paid for 70% of the
cost). We worked hard for and received a waiver to reduce the size to what we
built. The old school was terribly inadequate space wise, with classrooms in
the basement, etc. We built it with a design that would 1) encourage community
use beyond the school day, and 2) allow the building to be re-purposed in the
future for other uses, if it wasn’t needed as a school anymore.
2) It is a well-known fact that families with children are more expensive for
municipalities than the taxes they contribute, but it is part of our social
contract to educate our children, and to have all citizens contribute to that
cost, through property taxes or by proxy, rent. Property taxes is not
necessarily the best way to pay for our schools, but until the state comes up
with another funding channel, it’s what we have. (I personally prefer a
state-based income tax for schools, but with the retention of local control
over managing the schools.)
3) The broadband effort is making money for the town, so, in effect is a small
business that benefits the town, that supports home-based small business, which
makes the town more appealing for older folks as well as those with school-age
children. Home-based businesses also promote lower use of fossil fuels and
road travel, reducing pollution and road wear and tear.
Louise Doud To unsubscribe write to warwicklist-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with
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