To the editor:

The school committee has been pushing later start times for the past year along with the new middle school. It seems to me that the school committee has not come up with a full plan and cost of this endeavor.  

They say $434,000 is the minimum, but this could rise. 

Our school system has managed to educate many students in the past 40 years that have become very successful and they did not come to school at 8:30. 

This will not show a great return on investment. We need to focus on other “no cost” programs first to help with student stress. The homework policy should be enforced and then evaluated. We could incorporate healthy sleep habits into the health curriculum. 

Our taxes will be going up 4.5 percent (about $440 for the average home in Barrington) just for the middle school. There will be an additional increase for the annual school budget and municipal budget which could be as high as another 4.5 percent if both the school department and town ask for everything they want.

This does not include the childcare burden many families in town will endure due to the later start times. This will add a minimum of $2,700 to those families affected.

I would like to see the school committee think about the taxpayer for a change. Cut the school start time initiative. There are many needs in our community this year and the safety of our residents should take priority.

Please go to the next school committee meeting on Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. and voice your concern about the cost of later start times. 

The residents of Barrington do not have an open checkbook. If you can’t make the meeting please send an email to your school committee representative.

katebrody7@gmail.com

​​aclancy@residentialproperties.com

​johnabsc@gmail.com

​meganpdouglas@me.com

​gpinelicsw@gmail.com

​Tom Rimoshytus

Barrington