We urge a vote tomorrow in favor of building two new middle schools and approving a tax hike to pay for them.
The 2 Schools for Lynn supporters make a strong case for the city moving forward to build a new school on Parkland Avenue and another in West Lynn, citing rapidly increasing enrollment in existing schools.
Protect Our Reservoir-Preserve Pine Grove members summarize their opposition to the ballot question by criticizing the proposed Parkland Avenue site near Breeds Pond and arguing the city cannot afford its share of the $188.5 million project, which is estimated to be a maximum of $91 million.
Voters will be asked tomorrow to pay for new schools by approving a measure excluding the school debt from the property tax-raising limitations set by state law. This request is unprecedented in the city’s history and ballot question opponents are correct when they say the debt exclusion request is set against the backdrop of the city’s recent financial problems.
The city’s bond rating has been downgraded and city Chief Financial Officer Peter Caron sounded an alarm about city finances last December. But the economic benefits to the city from building new schools outweigh financial concerns.
Ballot question proponents convincingly argue that families and businesses looking to relocate in Lynn assess school quality in making their decisions. Building new schools does not simply benefit the students who will attend a new West Lynn and Pickering in 2019 and 2020, respectively. New construction also benefits future generations of students.
Ballot question opponents say they share this viewpoint. But they argue the Parkland Avenue site is a poor location because, they say, it negatively affects Pine Grove Cemetery and the woods around the pond.
Both of these arguments are weak. The Parkland Avenue and the West Lynn site were picked because they did not contain the hazardous materials contamination and flooding problems identified on other potential school sites. Proponents also point out that the Parkland Avenue site will be separated from Breeds Pond by a hill.
Opponents argue that the 44-acre site where the school has been proposed has for decades been viewed as cemetery land. But proponents point out only 12 acres are actually needed for the school project, meaning the remaining land can be destined for cemetery use.
Question opponents are also unrealistic when they say, “find another site and we will support it.” Lynn is an old, land-poor industrial city with few suitable sites available for school construction.
Opponents are misguided when they say the city can abandon plans to build on Parkland Avenue and simply propose another school site to the state and receive quick funding approval.
Competition for limited state school building assistance reimbursements is stiff. Waiting to build new schools will only drive up future construction costs. Lynn can’t afford to miss this chance to build new schools with the state’s help.
Every student in Lynn deserves a state-of-the-art middle school like Thurgood Marshall on Brookline Street. We urge a “yes” vote on Tuesday to propel Lynn into a future marked by success and opportunity for all residents.
