To the editor:

After attending the school committee meeting on Sept. 7, I feel that our school committee thinks they have an unlimited check book. 

As I sat and listened to the amount of money the school committee will be asking for over the next year, it is unbelievable. 

First, the new middle school will be approximately $500 per household for 25 years. If the bond is only 20 years the price will go up, this is for the $68 million. This tax increase does not include any other services of the town including contract obligations, future bonds, and future programs and so on.

Second, they started to talk about start times and busses. The school committee voted to increase the school budget by $120,000. At the past financial town meeting in May, we voted to add the money to supply two more busses to help with the three tier system so no child will be picked up before 7 a.m. and to reduce bus ride times. As of this meeting they have only hired one bus. When I asked if the remaining money would go back to the town coffers they said no it will remain in the school account.

They plan on using this extra money in future for the costly start time change. 

In recent weeks there have been meetings with school teachers telling them this is a done deal. The superintendent made an appearance on the morning show at the high school telling the students the time change is happening in August and no activities will be changed. 

To me, it seems that the school committee has not listened to the public outcry over the past year. So this comes down to more money. No one has addressed at this time how much it will cost us. What happens to people who need before and after care? What happens to the town’s sports programs when the fields are being used for middle and high school sports programs that the superintendent says will not be affected? Where is the information that the programs will not be affected? 

I feel that our school committee is only listening to a chosen few with a special interest in promoting later school start times. The ad hoc committee is supposed to look at the entire picture including the impact to tax payers. It is my understanding that has not happened. I have talked to a few teachers and they said they were told not to object to the new start time. If this is true why are they being pressured?

Taxpayers of Barrington, we have the final say in the school budget at the financial town meeting in May. The school committee did not want to put this on the ballot so the only way we can be heard will be during that meeting. Then the school committee will threaten us with cutting teachers and programs to support their 8:30 start time. 

So if they want a great school system they will leave well enough alone. The school committee only talks about academics at meetings unless a sports team does well; it is not just about academics and picking up kids later on the bus. This is about being a well rounded student that can adapt to school, sports and work. 

I urge all taxpayers to go to the school committee meetings from now till the election and voice your concerns. Also the ad-hoc will be giving their recommendations on Nov 1.

Taxpayers of Barrington, let your voice be heard this Nov. 8 and at the financial town meeting in May. Let your school committee know you are not happy with the 8:30 start time. Also, I hope you will join me in supporting Gina Pine for School Committee. 

Tom Rimoshytus

Barrington