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8th Grade Final Exam: Salina, KS – 1895

Grammar (Time, one hour)
1. Give nine rules for the use of capital letters.
2. Name the parts of speech and define those that have no modifications.
3. Define verse, stanza and paragraph
4. What are the principal parts of a verb? Give principal parts of ‘lie, ?play,’ and ‘run.’
5. Define case; illustrate each case.
6. What is punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of punctuation.
7 – 10. Write a composition of about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules of grammar.

Arithmetic (Time,1 hour 15 minutes)
1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.
2. A wagon box is 2 ft. Deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. Wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold?
3. If a load of wheat weighs 3,942 lbs., what is it worth at 50cts/bushel, deducting 1,050 lbs. For tare?
4. District No 33 has a valuation of $35,000.. What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?
5. Find the cost of 6,720 lbs. Coal at $6.00 per ton.
6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent.
7. What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft.. Long at $20 per metre?
8. Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.
9. What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance of which is 640 rods?
10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt

U.S. History (Time, 45 minutes)
1. Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided
2. Give an account of the discovery of America by Columbus
3. Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War.
4. Show the territorial growth of the United States
5. Tell what you can of the history of Kansas
6. Describe three of the most prominent battles of the Rebellion.
7. Who were the following: Morse, Whitney, Fulton, Bell, Lincoln, Penn, and Howe?
8. Name events connected with the following dates: 1607, 1620, 1800, 1849, 1865.

Orthography (Time, one hour) [Do we even know what this is??--try clicking the link.]
1. What is meant by the following: alphabet, phonetic, orthography, etymology, syllabication
2. What are elementary sounds? How classified?
3. What are the following, and give examples of each: trigraph, sub vocals, diphthong, cognate letters, lingual?s
4. Give four substitutes for caret ‘u.’ (HUH?)
5. Give two rules for spelling words with final ‘e.’ Name two exceptions under each rule.
6. Give two uses of silent letters in spelling. Illustrate each.
7. Define the following prefixes and use in connection with a word: bi, dis-mis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, sup.
8. Mark diacritically and divide into syllables the following, and name the sign that indicates the sound: card, ball, mercy,
sir, odd, cell, rise, blood, fare, last.
9. Use the following correctly in sentences: cite, site, sight, fane, fain, feign, vane, vain, vein, raze, raise, rays.
10. Write 10 words frequently mispronounced and indicate pronunciation by use of diacritical marks
and by syllabication.

Geography (Time, one hour)
1 What is climate? Upon what does climate depend?
2. How do you account for the extremes of climate in Kansas ?
3. Of what use are rivers? Of what use is the ocean?
4. Describe the mountains of North America
5. Name and describe the following: Monrovia, Odessa, Denver, Manitoba, Hecla, Yukon, St. Helena,Juan Fernandez, Aspinwall and Orinoco
6. Name and locate the principal trade centers of the U.S. Name all the republics of Europe and give the capital of each..
8. Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the Pacific in the same latitude?
9. Describe the process by which the water of the ocean returns to the sources of rivers.
10. Describe the movements of the earth. Give the inclination of the earth.

Notice that the exam took FIVE HOURS to complete.
Gives the saying ‘he only had an 8th grade education’ a whole new meaning, doesn’t it?!
No wonder they dropped out after 8th grade. They already knew more than they needed to know!
No, I don’t have the answers And I don’t think I ever did!
Have fun with this… I pass it on so we’re not the only ones who feel stupid!!!

Be sure, when you are complete with reading the questions and feel stumped, to read the Snopes Report and/or the report on Truth or Fiction website. Might ease the pain.
If you decided not to read the Snopes report, you might want to read this. A certification examination for prospective teachers, prepared by the Examiners of Teachers for the Public Schools in Zanesville, Ohio, in the late 1870s. Just as much fun and more “stuff” I have probably forgotten, if I ever knew it.

Well, the answer will surprise you.
Let’s look at the School Committee policies.
There is a policy on Assignment to schools.
This policy states:”Each school within the school system is defined by attendance boundaries set by the Committee. It is generally expected that youngsters will attend the school within the attendance district of his/her residence. However, the Committee recognizes that there are situations in which it is beneficial to both the youngster and the school system to allow a placement outside of the attendance district. The Superintendent is authorized to grant or deny written requests for individuals to attend a school outside designated attendance areas according to the following guidelines:”

Some of those guidelines are:
“2. When a youngster moves to a new residence and that new residence is in a different attendance district, a request to remain at the previously assigned school will be honored subject to the availability of space in the school.

4. In all cases in which a placement outside of the attendance district of residence is granted, parents will assume the responsibility for transportation to and from school.”

So it appears that the criteria to look at is the availability of space in the school..
The policy even states each schools space.
“A school is deemed to have space available if the total enrollment of the school is at or below its design capacity and the classroom to which the youngster is assigned will not exceed twenty-five students.”

Comprehensive Grammar School ——————–Design Capacity 1200 students
Marsh Grammar School ———————————-Design Capacity 1370 students
Tenney Grammar School ——————————–Design Capacity 1370 students
Timony Grammar School ——————————-Design Capacity 1370 students

I do not know the age of this officials child or what grade the child is in. It is actually irrelevant to the discussion.
Let’s look at school enrollment for the period in question. Keep in mind that children in the Central district will attend ,usually, the Timony School.

From the Department of Education website for Massachusetts we find;

Year  Marsh Timony Tenney
2007 1397 1456 1446
2008 1370 1427 1427
2009 1366 1454 1431
2010 1342 1437 1375
2011 1328 1379 1376

So the truth is that the Tenney and Timony schools have been over capacity for the period in question and per the published policy it was well within the discretion of the Superintendent to grant the waiver and even made sense to exacerbate overcrowding.

The newly elected official was, probably, just trying to maintain continuity in the child’s life and probably didn’t realize the additional benefit to the school system of his request.

The good news is that the data shows the School District has been making strides to even out the student count in our schools.

Hope this answers any questions about this issue.

Article I. General

Sec. 3-1. Definitions
Sec. 3-2. Chief Administrator(A) Chief Executive (1) Duties (2) Powers
Sec. 3-2A. Temporary Absence of Mayor

Article II. Departments

Sec. 3-3. Departmental organization
Sec. 3-4. Oaths of office
Sec. 3-5. Administrative policy and procedures
Sec. 3-6. Reserved
Sec. 3-7. Department of Treasury and Tax Collection
Sec. 3-8. Reserved
Sec. 3-9. Department of Public Works
Sec. 3-9A. Repealed (see Appendix V – Initiative Petition)
Sec. 3-10. Department of Records
Sec. 3-11. Community Development Department
Sec. 3-12. Department of Assessment
Sec. 3-13. Fire Department
Sec. 3-14. Reserved
Sec. 3-15. Police Department
Sec. 3-16. Joint Human Resources Department – (JHR)

Article III. Boards, Commissions and Officers

Sec. 3-16. Civil Defense Director
Sec. 3-17. Conservation Commission
Sec. 3-18. Constables
Sec. 3-19. Contributory Retirement Board
Sec. 3-20. Animal Control Officer
Sec. 3-21. Board of Health
Sec. 3-22. Historical Commission
Sec. 3-22A. Historic District Study Commission
Sec. 3-23. Licensing Board
Sec. 3-24. Registrars of Voters
Sec. 3-25. Commissioners of Trust Funds
Sec. 3-26. Youth Commission
Sec. 3-27. Housing Authority
Sec. 3-28. Veterans’ Services Director
Sec. 3-29. Methuen Cultural Council
Sec. 3-30. Council on Aging
Sec. 3-31. Disability Commission
Sec. 3-32. Tourism Committee
Sec. 3-40. Board of Library Commissioners
Sec. 3-50. Residency Requirements
Sec. 3-60. Boards and Commissions Cost Reimbursement
Sec. 3-70. Public Advertisement for Boards and Commissions
Sec. 3-80. Establishing Ten Year Limit on Terms of Office for Members of Boards and Commissions
Sec. 3-90. Travel and Participation in Training Sessions Where Private Entities Provide Financing

Please note that the section of the Municipal Code referenced above has TWO section 3-16.
Article II. Departments
Sec. 3-16. Joint Human Resources Department – (JHR)
and
Article III. Boards, Commissions and Officers
3-16. Civil Defense Director
All sections in Article III. Boards, Commissions and Officers are misnumbered by 1.

I noted this when I read the ordinance that is being proposed by the Ad Hoc Consolidation Committee to give a job to the current Chief of Staff. That job is called the City Director of Human Resources / Assistant City Solicitor.
So far the legislation has been to copy the Order from 2007 and add wording to create the said position.

They recommend adding the following two sections to the current Sec. 3-16 Joint Human Resources Department – (JHR).

19) Under the direction of the City Solicitor, this person assists the City Solicitor with any legal matters that are presented to the city or School department.
He/She shall represent the city in all proceedings before any court, administrative board or legislative committee. He/She will conduct civil lawsuits, draft legal documents, ordinances and resolutions and advise employees as to their legal rights.

20) He/She will be a member in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar and shall have experience in the field of municipal law.

I propose that this section not be tampered with.
If you add these two lines as written it will require both JHRD’s to be practicing attorneys.
Do not hire a NEW City HR Director.
Simply create the JHR office that was promised in 2007.
Proper staffing for both branches.
Create goals and measure the Director on achievement of those goals.

These sections will also be added by amending the existing code.
The poorly worded Order has the following as Section two.
The Department shall be managed by two Joint Human Resources Directors (JHRD), one whose primary purpose is to oversee the School Departement Humen Resource Department.
The City Joint Human Resources Director shall also serve as an Assistant City Solicitor and shall exercise such authority as is provided for in Chapter 3-Section 3 (b) and Section 5 of the Municipal Code as a full Department Head.
The CityJoint Human Resources Director/ Assistant City Solicitor shall be a member in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar and shall perform legal work for the City at the direction of the City Solicitor.

So the School Department JHRD is to oversee the School Departement Humen Resource Department, but the City side JHRD has no such responsibility for the City Human Resource Department, instead becoming a Department Head in the Solicitor office. I know that’s not what they meant but it is implied due to poor wording.

They added an (s) to the word Director in second (paragraph) line of the existing code.
Section four and five below tell the rest of the story.

Section four changes this line from;
The department shall in addition to the Director have such other employees as recommended by the executive. The salaries and benefits for these employees shall be set by the city council by ordinance. The costs for the position of the (JHRD) shall be born equally by the general government and the school system.
To:
The department shall in addition to the Director(s) have such other employees as recommended by the executive. The salaries and benefits for these employees shall be set by the city council by ordinance. The costs for the position(s) of the (JHRD) shall be born equally by the general government and the school system.

Section five changes this from;
The Director of the Joint Human Resources Department shall be appointed by the Mayor provided that the Mayor seeks and obtains the consent to such appointment from the Superintendent of Schools. The Director’s appointment shall also be subject to approval by the City Council. The Mayor shall be the appointing authority of the additional employees in the department subject to recommendation of the Director.
To;
The City Director shall be chosen by the Mayor, with the assent of the Superintendent of Schools.
The School Director shall be chosen by the Superintendent of Schools, with the assent of the Mayor.
The City Director appointment shall be subject to approval by the City Council.
The Mayor shall be the appointing authority of the additional employees in the department subject to recommendation of the Director(s).

So we no longer need consent but only a tacit assent to make the appointments.

My suggestion is;

Here is the current Section 2.24. Department of Law

A. The Department of Law shall consist of the City Solicitor who shall, in accordance with Chapter 182 of the Acts and Resolves of 1985, be appointed by the City Council. The City Council shall, on or before January fifteenth in odd numbered years, elect, by ballot or otherwise, a City Solicitor to hold office for a term of two years and until his/her successor is qualified. He/she shall enforce all laws and act to protect the interests of the City and he/she shall:
1. Advise Council
Advise the Council or its committees or any City officer, when thereto requested, upon all legal questions arising in the conduct of City business.
2. Prepare Ordinances
Prepare or revise ordinances when so requested by the Mayor, Council or any committee thereof.
3. Give Opinions
Give his/her opinion upon any legal matter or question submitted to him/her by the Council under rules adopted by said body or by any other City officer.
4. Prepare Legal Instruments
Prepare for execution all contracts and instruments to which the City is a party and shall approve, as to form, all bonds required to be submitted to the City.
5. Prosecute Offenders and Defend Officials
Prepare, when authorized by the Mayor, all charges and complaints against, and shall appear in the appropriate court in the prosecution of, every person charged with the violation of a City ordinance or of any regulation adopted under authority of the Charter, or with the Council of a misdemeanor as declared by the Charter or by virtue of its authority. In any prosecution for violation of any regulations adopted by any board or commission created under authority of the Charter, the City solicitor shall act under the directions of such board or commission, subject to such paramount control as is given to the Administrator of the Charter.
6. Settlement of Claims
Have the power to adjust, settle, compromise or submit to arbitration, any action, causes of action, accounts, debts, claims, demands, disputes, and matters of favor of or against the City of in which the City is concerned as debtor or creditor, now existing or which may hereafter arise, not involving or requiring payment to exceed $500.00; and with the permission of the Mayor, may do likewise in matters not involving or requiring payment to exceed $2,500.00; provided the money to settle claims generally has been appropriated and is available therefor.
7. Make Reports
a. Immediate report of decision. Immediately report the outcome of any litigation in which the City has an interest to the Mayor and the Council.

b. Annual report of pending litigation. Make an annual report, to the Mayor and Council, as of the first day of July of all pending litigation in which the City has an interest and the condition thereof.
8. Control Legal Services Incidental to Council Action

Have charge of all legal services auxiliary to Council action in connection with the appropriating of property to public use.

9. Keep Records
a. Suits.
Keep a complete record of all suits in which the City had or has an interest, giving the names of the parties, the court where brought, the nature of the action, the disposition of the case, or its condition, if pending, and the briefs of counsel.

b. Opinions and Titles.
Keep a complete record of all written opinions furnished by him/her and of all certificates or abstracts of titles furnished by him/her to the City or any department or official thereof.
10. Notwithstanding that a public employee (as defined in Chapter 258, Section 1, Massachusetts General Laws) shall not be liable for negligent or wrongful acts as described in Chapter 258, Section 2, if a cause of action is improperly commenced against a public employee of the City, alleging injury or loss of property or personal injury or death as the result of the negligent or wrongful act or omission of such employee, said employee may request representation by the City Solicitor. The City Solicitor shall defend the public employee, if authorized by the Mayor, with respect to the cause of action at no cost to the employee; provided, however, that the City Solicitor determines that the public employee was acting within the scope of his/her office or employment at the time of the alleged loss, injury, or death, and further, that said public employee provides reasonable cooperation to the City and the City Solicitor in The defense of any action arising out of the same subject matter. If, however, in the opinion of the City Solicitor representation of the public employee under this section would result in a conflict of interest, the City Solicitor shall not be required to represent the public employee.

(1973 Ord., as amended by Ord #38, Revised; as amended by
Ord. #215, Adopted Dec. 2, 1985, as amended by Ord. #284,
Eff. April 20, 1988; as further amended by Chapter 145 of
the Acts and Resolves of 1996.)

Everything below this line I would propose to alleviate any workload problems in this office.
If more is required, then the Solicitor will have to present a workload and show that he is unable to carry out his duties due to the workload presented.

B. Assistant Solicitor
1.Office established.
There is established the office of assistant city solicitor.
The assistant city solicitor shall be elected by the city council upon recommendation of the city solicitor. Appointment of the assistant city solicitor shall be for a fixed term of two years and until his/her successor is qualified , which may be renewed or extended without limitation, pursuant to an employment contract which shall be entered into between the city and the assistant city solicitor at the time of appointment, and which shall also set the compensation to be paid to the assistant city solicitor, and such other specific terms and conditions of employment as may be recommended by the city solicitor and accepted by the mayor and the city council at the time of appointment.

2.Duties.
The assistant city solicitor shall be under the direction of the city solicitor and shall assist the city solicitor in the performance of the duties of the office and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the city solicitor.
The assistant city solicitor shall have the authority to represent the city in all proceedings before any court or other tribunal, when so requested and directed by the city solicitor.
In the absence of the city solicitor, the assistant city solicitor shall be responsible for the management and supervision of the office of the city solicitor.

3.Qualifications.
The assistant city solicitor shall be an able and experienced person learned in the law and an solicitor and counselor at law in the courts of the commonwealth.
In addition, said person shall be experienced in the area of municipal law.

C. Outside Legal Assistance.
The office of the city solicitor may also engage, by contract or otherwise, such clerical, legal, paralegal, and investigative personnel as may be provided for in the annual appropriations for said office.

D. Use of City employed personnel.
The office of the city solicitor may also engage, with the approval of the Mayor and City Council, properly qualified, per section B.3., personnel from other City Departments, as temporary Assistant solicitor for short term, specific assignment to alleviate workload congestion.

To me, this makes more sense. It keeps any conflict of interest between personnel who work for the Council and the Mayor, clearly defined. It allows for the Solicitor to contract to alleviate issues but requires clear responsibility to justify these actions to the City Council.

Active community and parent participation, facilities which support school programs and services, and dependable and adequate funding are necessary for the school to achieve its mission and expectations for student learning.
1. The school shall engage parents and families as partners in each student’s education and shall encourage their participation in school programs and parent support groups.
2. The school shall foster productive business/community/higher education partnerships that support student learning.
3. The school site and plant shall support and enhance all aspects of the educational program and the support services for student learning.
4. The physical plant and facilities shall meet all applicable federal and state laws and shall be in compliance with local fire, health, and safety regulations.
5. Equipment shall be adequate, properly maintained, catalogued, and replaced when appropriate.
6. A planned and adequately funded program of building and site management shall ensure the appropriate maintenance, repair, and cleanliness of the school plant.
7. There shall be ongoing planning to address future programs, enrollment changes, staffing, facility, and technology needs as well as capital improvements.
8. The community and the district’s governing body shall ensure an adequate and dependable source of revenue to provide and maintain appropriate school programs, personnel, services, facilities, equipment, technological support, materials, and supplies for student learning.
9. Faculty and building administrators shall have active involvement in the budgetary process, including its development and implementation.

There are 10 Massachusetts High Schools on the Probation list. The oldest on the list,since 1999. Though Methuen saw a note in our accreditation report in 2003 and, I believe, also in 2006, no official action has been taken to place this School on Probation.
Rule changes will take effect in 2011.
We will be re-evaluated next in 2012.

I understand that a loss of accreditation is a blow to a community.
Methuen has been trying to be proactive to stave off any adverse actions to accreditation.
Bringing this up in the current debate is counter-productive.
It simply diverts your attention from the important parts of the debate-COST and the following questions;
Is the upgrades purpose clear? Will this ensure the health, safety, and well being of students and school personnel.
Does the upgrade address a specific and existing problem, interest, or need?
Is the upgrade designed so that it is not redundant or duplicative of any other Federal, state, local or private effort? Most school construction is financed through local tax revenue, often through the use of bonds. What is our total Bonded Indebtedness over the usefull life of this project?
Is the upgrade design free of major flaws that would limit the program’s effectiveness or efficiency? What is our practical capacity to issue bonds. What is the percent of their bonding capacity?
Is the upgrade design effectively targeted so that resources will address the program’s purpose directly and will reach intended beneficiaries? What is our major need for facilities imporvements.

To the editor
Re:Letter: Story confuses public on teachers’ pay

I don’t think the public is as confused about teachers pay as Ms. Gogas would imply.
Whatever terminology one uses in a contract discussion is not relevant to the facts. The public is pretty clear on it’s understanding that no matter what you call it, teachers are getting an increase in pay in a time of economic downturn. They are receiving money that is more than they received in the previous year, budgetary or calander. To the general public that is a raise. Most in the private sector, if they still hold jobs, are forgoing any increases in pay through this time. Unlike the teachers. No matter what industry one works in it is assumed that one would keep there skill set up to date and sharp. If this is mandated or not, it is required to get good reviews which assist a company in retaining employees or releasing under performers. I don’t see similar discussion for teachers. It always leads to unrelated sidestepping instead of substantive discourse on how to measure a teachers true job performance.

I do not buy the short term reference to this downturn, either. Any ecomomic recession that lasts from 2007/8 for two plus years, with no end in sight, is not a short downturn.

The teachers union leadership fails to grasp the reality of performance measurement, economic downturns, student performance role and economic sacrifice. Until this situation corrects itself we shall not be confused nor amused by their “masterful degree” of bluster.

MOTION: Robert Vogler made a motion to accept the 2008-2009 School Choice Program.
Kenneth Henrick seconded.

VOTE: 7-0-0 UNAMINOUS

So did we accept or reject school choice based on the meeting minutes?

Adopted at the 2006 NEA Representative Assembly
The National Education Association
We, the members of the National Education Association of the United States, are the voice of education professionals. Our work is fundamental to the nation, and we accept the profound trust placed in us.

Our Vision
Our vision is a great public school for every student.

Our Mission
Our mission is to advocate for education professionals and to unite our members and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world.

Our Core Values
These principles guide our work and define our mission:

Equal Opportunity. We believe public education is the gateway to opportunity. All students have the human and civil right to a quality public education that develops their potential, independence, and character.

A Just Society. We believe public education is vital to building respect for the worth, dignity, and equality of every individual in our diverse society.

Democracy. We believe public education is the cornerstone of our republic. Public education provides individuals with the skills to be involved, informed, and engaged in our representative democracy.

Professionalism. We believe that the expertise and judgment of education professionals are critical to student success. We maintain the highest professional standards, and we expect the status, compensation, and respect due all professionals.

Partnership. We believe partnerships with parents, families, communities, and other stakeholders are essential to quality public education and student success.

Collective Action. We believe individuals are strengthened when they work together for the common good. As education professionals, we improve both our professional status and the quality of public education when we unite and advocate collectively.

NEA also believes every student in America, regardless of family income or place of residence, deserves a quality education. In pursuing its mission, NEA has determined that we will focus the energy and resources of our 3.2 million members on improving the quality of teaching, increasing student achievement and making schools safer, better places to learn.

The NEA is the National organization for Educators (Teachers). This group represents state wide groups, such as the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

The MTA is the state wide organization for educators in Massachusetts. A subset of this group is the Methuen Education Association.
This group will not share it’s constitution or by-laws with the public. I have made a request to the local representative, (president), and was told that these documents were private.
What do you think of the vision of the National Organization and how it is implemented at the local level?
Shouldn’t an organization that represents public employees be open with the public about how they are organized and run? I have not asked for their financial information or any internal documents that would harm their collective bargaining positions.
I requested the simple documents that make them an organization under the law and allow them to represent the teachers who provide an education to our children.

I have been following the School Committee “race” in the papers.
The following two articles from the Lawrence Eagle Tribune are what I reference;
Methuen school committee winner to give up seat to losing incumbent
Attorney to determine whether School Committee member can give seat to ‘buddy’
**And the story continues: now read the latest, Henrick won’t resign Methuen School Committee

I believe in the end you will find that the School Committee, as a whole, gets to choose a replacement from the registered voters within Methuen.

I offer the following perspective.

I realize that if an elected member steps down, it is tempting to go to the next person on the ballot, especially the day after the election.

The Voters have already spoken and in deference to them, I would recommend that no one who ran should get the position, i.e. no one garnered 20% of the vote.

And, yes, you are right in assuming where this is going, I volunteer to serve on the School Committee to fill the unexpired term of whomever steps down, Mr. Henrick, I believe.

What are my qualifications?

I am a concerned resident of the City of Methuen.

I served on the Superintendants Task Force.

I actually graduated from a High School in Massachusetts.

My children graduated from Methuen schools.

My grandchildren attend Methuen schools now.

I have a good attendance record at City Council meetings, better than yours I believe, which should carry over to the School Committee.

If I serve on the School Committee, when would I find time to prepare to speak at each Council meeting, (a huge plus for some council members and bloggers on Disqus).

I throw my hat in the ring for consideration. You have my number–I’m waiting by the phone.

Override and Debt Exclusion.
What is the difference?

I found a clear answer at this website. I have paraphrased it below.
“An Override is a permanent increase in taxes whereas a Debt Exclusion is a temporary increase in taxes. Each requires a majority vote at the ballot box.
An Override is usually expressed as a percentage. For example, a 3 % override would increase property taxes by 3% permanently. A Debt Exclusion is usually expressed as an amount.

Proposition 2½ allows the City Council to increase property taxes by up to 2.5% per year. This is often referred to as the statutory limit. A majority vote of the 9 member Council is required. The 2.5% limit is designed to cover annual cost increases such as modest pay raises, energy costs, health insurance, etc.

A Debt Exclusion is a tax increase to cover the payments for borrowed money. In our case this includes funds borrowed for the High School buildings. Taxes to pay for these loans will decrease over time until the loans are paid off. ”

The entire cost of the upgraded High School should be a debt Exclusion item. This would allow us to maintain our Bond rating and maintain our Stabilization fund while paying for the needed Capital improvement that the High School upgrade represents.

The current monetary policy of the City of Methuen does not have the funds to pay for the needed upgrade. An override and debt Exclusion both require the Voters of the Community to choose the new taxes.

We have already spent, committed to, $2,000,000 for a Feasibility study. We have hired someone to manage the project and someone to design the project. All of those funds, especially in these economic times, should have gone to the voters this year. Instead the Council approved these fundings.

The entire project should have been listed on our Capital improvement Plan and should have been sent to the voters for approval. What we see happening is that the City is committing funds and in the future, 2011?, will get around to asking the voters to approve a tax override or exclusion. The argument will be that we have already spent $2,000,000 plus and it would be a waste to not continue.

No one wants more taxes or an increase in existing taxes. The city needs to better define their Capital Improvement plan. They need to create a process that guides the City government in choosing the best option for funding these projects, be that Override, grants, or debt exclusion.

As seen in Hull, Massachusetts, I agree “we need a policy where we do not borrow money for large projects without asking for a Debt Exclusion vote. A ‘yes” vote guarantees payments for the loans, prevents service cuts and leaves our Stabilization Fund to tide us over during tough times such as we have now. A “no” vote means no project and no loan payments. Methuen voters should be given the opportunity to decide at the ballot box.

It appears that once a year, the School Committee has the Superintendant get before the City council and explain the school spending.
Wouldn’t it make more sense that the School Committee appear in Joint session each quarter with the City Council and discuss openly the current fiscal state of the system?
These sessions could have a public participation segment, where the voters (payees) could question the joint committees.

I am loath to recommend a workshop session, as this would not allow any public comment.
This would seem to make more sense in that the Council would be better apprised of the spending requirements of the schools.
You can substitute the Greater lawrence School Committee for the Methuen School Committee if you like. The concept is the same.
Instead of one contact at the fiscal Year end, which, lately , has led to multiple requests for explanations and delays in adoption of the Budget, these joint sessions, should allow more sharing of information on an on-going basis.

As money gets tighter and tighter, anything that allows our elected officials to see the bigger picture on a regular basis can’t have any worse impact than the current system.