Talking Points for the Homestretch

As you talk with friends and neighbors in these final days before the Town Election, you may be wondering what, exactly, to say. While the school project is complex and the reasons for passing ballot question 3 are numerous, we have compiled these very brief talking points.

Please note that additional, more complete information and/or links on all these points are available via Facebook notes, the posts and tabs on this website, and the Duxbury Public Schools website.

• There are many tax relief programs available in town, including one where seniors can do community service work for a tax abatement. Town hall has more information.
• If Question 3 passes, tax impact won't be felt until 2014 or 2015.
• New school facilities will improve our property values making it easier for homeowners to sell. (Shorter time on the market and better price).
• Deteriorating schools make it hard to attract new home buyers.
• Deteriorating schools make it hard to attract and retain teachers.
• Taxpayers in Duxbury finished up paying for the current high school in the mid 1980s therefore many families have never had to pay for the buildings in which their kids attend middle and high school. It is our turn. It is good to leave a place as good or better than how we found it.
• If we choose renovation, that will mean many years in trailers for middle and high school students. Our students deserve better. Parts of the curriculum cannot be adequately taught in current buildings -- much less portable classrooms.
• The buildings are in such poor condition, there is no "Free" option! There will be a tax impact no matter what! Buildings were poorly constructed to begin with so it is less expensive to rebuild than repair.
• State reimbursement has trended downward so if we wait, we are not likely to get this level of reimbursement. Hanover and Plymouth have experienced this lower reimbursement after failing to approve projects -- which means a higher cost for taxpayers in those towns.
• Today's students will work and compete in a very different environment than we did even one or two generations ago. Being tech savvy isn't a luxury but is required in college and the workplace. Many of our neighbors on the South Shore are surpassing us. Our outdated structures are hindering our teachers and students! (Physically uncomfortable: too hot, too cold, leaks, noisy heaters, too small classrooms and poor ventilation. Directly related to curriculum: very poor school layout hinders team teaching, inadequate electrical hinders science and other course work, limited access to technology).There are young families and seniors alike who are struggling to pay bills and paying higher taxes are scary. We don't have a commercial tax base in Duxbury so the burden falls on us all. The school department, school building committee and the MSBA are doing their best to give us the most reasonable, cost-effective fix for our school buildings. FinCom, Fiscal Advisory, Town Building Committee, Selectmen and School Committee all voted to support the co-located model.

Thanks to everyone who has worked to spread the word and support the schools. As always, if you have questions, please contact us at DuxburyCARES@gmail.com.

WE CAN DO THIS! YES for SCHOOLS! YES on 3!