WPS Budget News from Committee 21

It is the mission of Committee 21 to help educate parents of students in the Wellesley Public Schools about issues related to the budget. This spring, Wellesley voters likely will be asked to approve a budget override for fiscal year 2015.

To help demystify the process, Committee 21 will be addressing a number of Frequently Asked Questions in the coming weeks. Look for them on the Committee 21 website.

FAQ: What is an override? Towns in Massachusetts obtain most of their funding through property taxes. In 1980, voters approved Proposition 2½, which requires towns to obtain voter approval for any property tax increase greater than 2½ percent (an “override” of Proposition 2½). An override. which applies to the operating budget, differs from a debt exclusion, which covers a capital expense such as a new building or renovations. An override becomes a permanent part of the budget, where with a debt exclusion the tax burden decreases as the debt is paid off. In Wellesley, both voters and Town Meeting must approve any override and debt exclusion.

For more information about Town Meeting and Wellesley town government, click here. For details on the budget process, click here.

Reminder: Town Election is this Tuesday, March 4. There are three candidates running for two spots on the School Committee, as well as contested Town Meeting Member elections in Precincts C, D, and H (and if you live in Precinct F, there are unfilled TMM spots available for write-ins). This is an especially important election year for the schools, so please make the time to learn about the candidates and VOTE.

The lists of candidates are here for town-wide office and here for Town Meeting. Absentee ballots are available until noon Monday.