Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the election?
Special election will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Polls will be open 7:00am – 8:00pm. Precincts 1,2,3,5,6 vote at the Old Middle School, 151 Pauline Street. Precinct 4 votes at O’Connell Hall, 9 Golden Drive.
Who can vote on the Override?
All registered voters in Winthrop are eligible to vote. The last day to register to vote is March 26, 2025. To verify your registration, or register to vote, use this link: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/
Are there early voting options or vote-by-mail ballots available?
Yes. Voters can vote in advance of election day through absentee ballots, which can be returned by mail, to the Town Clerk’s office, or via the drop box at town hall. Absentee ballots can be requested in person or with a vote by mail application. All information on absentee and election day voting and ballot request forms can be found on the Town of Winthrop website here.
What is a 2.5 Override?
Proposition 2 1⁄2 is a Massachusetts state law that limits the amount a city or town can raise property taxes each year. The increase in the total tax levy is capped at 2.5% annually, plus any new growth. However, an override can allow the community to vote to raise taxes beyond this limit to support necessary expenses. More information on Proposition 2.5 can be found here.
Why is an override needed now?
Property tax is one of the largest revenue streams available to the town, and increases in property taxes are limited by Prop 2 1/2 and have not kept pace with the rising costs of public education.
The Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which began July 1, 2024, was funded at $1,492,483 below level service. In order to balance the FY25 budget to the appropriation of funding, the school district cut $785,781 in materials, supplies, curriculum, and other districtwide expenses; $182,977 in staffing (including 2 teaching positions in 1st grade & 2nd grade); and allocated one time grant and/or revenue sources to fund $523,725 salaries and out of district special education tuitions.
Based on the history of the school budget funding allocations we are faced an anticipated FY26 school operational budget deficit of $3,500,000. There are several reasons for this anticipated structural deficit: historically high inflation affecting the cost of general materials, supplies and curriculum, 9.5% increase in health care costs, increased student enrollment, various increased state educational mandates, increases in ELL enrollment and service mandates, contractual salary increases, general contractual cost increases, increases in costs to maintain our facilities, technology and overall school safety management systems.
For a comprehensive view of why we need an override now, please view Superintendent Lisa Howard’s presentation here.
What is a structural deficit?
A structural deficit occurs when expenses grow faster than revenues over time, creating a recurring budget shortfall. In Winthrop, this has been an ongoing issue due to rising costs coupled with limited increases in revenue, Any time in the last 15 years (our last override vote) that the cost of inflation on goods, salaries, insurance, utilities, etc. rose over the allowed 2.5%, we had a budget deficit and had to make cuts.
What do the schools, community, and people of Winthrop get with this override?
The value of a properly funded Winthrop Public School System extends far beyond the classroom. According to a report published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, for every dollar spent on public schools in a community, home values increased by $20. Over the past nine years, home values in Winthrop have increased by an average of 9% each year. If residents want home values to continue to rise, it is critical that families moving into Winthrop are confident in the education Winthrop Public Schools provide.
Is this only a Winthrop issue?
No. Many towns across Massachusetts are seeking overrides for both school and other municipal services. There have been 303 override questions across Massachusetts since FY23. See full list here.
Has Winthrop approved overrides in the past?
Yes. Prior to November 5, 2024, the last proposal of Proposition 2 ½ override was in May of 2010 and passed in the amount of $565,000. Most towns in Massachusetts ask for overrides much more frequently, every 5-7 years. Below is the 25-year history of the Town of Winthrop Proposed Overrides:
- FY00, Govt. and Public Schools, $2,000,000, Loss
- FY00, Govt. and Public Schools, $3,500,000, Loss
- FY00, School Budget, $5,000,000, Loss
- FY10, School Operating Exp, $565,000, Win
- FY25, School Override, $4.950,000 – Loss
How much will the override cost?
Question 2 is a school operational override of $3,500,000 and results in an average increase in tax bills of $160 per quarter. The “average” increase is calculated on the average home assessment of $697,309. To calculate your own tax impact, please visit the Department of Labor Services Tax Impact Calculator by clicking HERE or via Tax Calculator Tab below. The WPS request is to maintain a level service budget for FY26 without cuts and to increase the overall base revenue funding for FY27.
Question 3 is a School Stabilization Fund in the amount of $1,450,000 and results in an average increase in tax bills of $66 per quarter. The “average” increase is calculated on the average home assessment of $697,309.
Who is responsible for paying the tax increase if the override question(s) pass?
The tax increase is paid for by the owner of the home or property in the Town of Winthrop.
Where will the funds go if Question 2, the school operational override, passes?
The increased tax revenue will be appropriated to the FY2026 Winthrop Public School’s operational budget.
Where will the funds go if Question 3, the school stabilization fund, passes?
The increased tax revenue will be appropriated to the FY2026 Winthrop Public School’s Stabilization Fund. This was created by Town Council motion in February 2025. The current balance of this fund is $0.
What is a School Stabilization Fund?
A school stabilization fund is a financial reserve or pool of money set aside to support schools during times of financial difficulty or instability. This fund is designed to help maintain the quality of education, even when schools face unexpected budget cuts, drops in enrollment, or other financial challenges. The goal is to ensure that schools can continue to operate smoothly and avoid drastic measures like layoffs, cuts to educational programs, and reductions in services.
What is the difference between an
Override and a debt exclusion?
An Override allows for a permanent tax increase to fund ongoing operational costs, like salaries and general expenses. A debt exclusion, on the other hand, temporarily raises taxes to pay off debt from specific capital projects, such as building a new school. Debt exclusions last only as long as the debt is being repaid and do not permanently raise the tax levy limit.
What is a Level Service Budget?
A level service budget is defined as taking the current year’s (2024-2025) level of services and projecting that same level of services forward one year (2025-2026). A level service budget considers the cost of operations to maintain the same quality of service, it includes estimates for variable costs and predictable fixed costs, and it absorbs increases in fixed costs while maintaining existing student experiences and instructional resources.
Has the school department considered a reduction in spending instead of asking for an override?
Yes, this has been a general practice for multiple years in a row. The Winthrop Public Schools has received a “below level service” budget allocation for the last five fiscal years, resulting in annual budget reductions to balance the budget to the allocated appropriation. See list of Level Service Budget Reductions per fiscal year below:
- FY21 – $591,156
- FY22 – $626,945
- FY23 – $1,683,590
- FY24 – $459,847
- FY25 – $1,492,485
The FY25 school operational budget was funded at $36,141,805 which was $1,492,485 less than the level service budget requested. If the operational override passes will the $1,492,485 of reductions in staffing and expenses be restored to the 2025-2026 budget?
The 2 elementary teaching positions will not be restored as we believe the current class size of 21-22 students per grade (1st and 2nd) will be maintained if the operational override passes. The budget lines for materials, supplies and curriculum will be restored. The special education tuition that was paid out of one-time funding sources will be allocated to incoming FY26 Circuit Breaker revenue. The Winthrop School Committee is committed to operating the school’s budget in a fiscally responsible manner which means ensuring that we spend taxpayer money appropriately.
Will the $3,500,000 operational override be enough to sustain the compounded increases for the next 5 years?
No. However, if Question 2 passes and Question 3, the proposed Education Stabilization passes, it is anticipated that the school operational budget will be stable for a minimum of 3 years.
How will the Override be used?
The operational override amount of $3,500,000 will be used to ensure that the 2025-2026 school year is funded at Level Service. See the questions above for restoration details and explanation of Level Service.
What happens if the override doesn’t pass?
If the override does not pass, the school district will need to reduce its budget by approximately $3,500,000 for the 2025-2026 school year. This will result in cuts to staffing, increased class sizes, reductions in curriculum, supplies and programs and services directly impacting the quality of education being provided to all students. It will also result in the need to increase user fees for co-curricular activities and athletics. Continuing to underfund the school’s budget puts the district and students at risk of lower academic performance, increases teacher turnover, makes teacher recruitment more difficult, lessens participation in co-curricular activities and athletics, and creates an equity gap for our students as compared to surrounding school districts.
How can the community be involved in the decision-making process?
The community can participate by attending public forums and community events, school committee meetings, and reviewing budget reports. Residents will have the opportunity to vote on the Override and Stabilization Fund, giving them a direct voice in the outcome.
Why is teacher retention important?
WPS is fortunate to have a team of incredible highly qualified educators teaching our students. Poor teacher retention is disruptive to student learning and creates a culture in which the teachers are not able to make meaningful, trusting, and long-lasting relationships with students. Additionally, the district puts time, energy, resources, and training investment into the staff members – an investment which is all lost when teachers leave to work in other districts.
The district has also made a large investment in updated curriculum resources. Over the past 3 years, the WPS has invested in updated Reading, Math, and English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum that has increased student performance, as evidenced by WPS benchmark testing and MCAS testing. The Massachusetts state learning standards have changed, necessitating investing in updated resources required to teach the new standards.
In summary, high teacher turnover disrupts learning, lowers student achievement and negatively impacts the culture, and relationship building within a school system. Teacher turnover leads to inconsistent quality of teaching, a lack of mentor relationships and academic progress, and additional costs to recruit and train staff.
What will be cut from the School Budget if the Override does not pass?
If tThe FY26 School Operational Budget is projected to be $40,300,000. The projected available allocation of funding for the budget is $36,800,000, resulting in the need to reduce the FY26 operating budget by $3,500,000.
The Winthrop Public Schools have been operating at a deficit for at least five years years due to costs increasing faster than available revenues. Federal pandemic aid funding has been used to fill this gap, but federal ESSER dollars expired in September 2024. The use of any type of one-time funding source, such Circuit Breaker and other smaller revolving accounts, is not a long-term solution. The school budget was facing a cliff as the FY25 budget was created. This resulted in $1,492,485 of reductions in staffing and expenses to the current (FY25) School’s budget. Continued cuts to the school budget will reduce the overall quality of education provided to our students and have a detrimental impact on their education and future job prospects.
With the approval of the first override question totaling $3,500,000, the Town will be able to continue to fund the costs of teachers, ESPs, adjustment counselors, administrative support, nurses, routine technology replacement, professional development related recently implemented ELA and Math curriculum, social, emotional and mental health supports, low fees for co-curricular and athletics, and the continuation of regular maintenance projects. Approval will avoid deep cuts across the board to programming that is relying on $1,492,485 in one-time funds that will not be available in FY26.
With the approval of the second override question totaling $1.450,000, the Town will work to close the school’s operational structural deficit in future school years and extend the life of the override. Approval of this question would also allow Winthrop Public Schools to continue to retain current staff, and ensure they are paid a living and competitive wage.
The total reduction of staffing, programs and expenses will depend on the final allocation of Town funds and total grant funding awarded to the Winthrop Public Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year.
Potential reductions pending the final budget allocation for the 2025-2026 school year:
- Reduction of staff and course offerings K-12 (specials, AP classes, language courses, mental health services) resulting in increased class size, K-8, from the current average of 20-22 to an average of 26-32 K-8 and 25+ per class in grades 9-12 and a reduction in available student support services.
- Added/Increased fees for before/after school programs, clubs, athletics and Co-curricular activities. Fees may reflect the funding cost of activity, club and/or sport.
- Elimination of Middle School athletics or fee increase to fully fund each sport.
- Freeze spending at all levels July 1, 2025.
- Increased Preschool tuition.
- Eliminate or reduce non-mandated programs and services.
- Institute fees for summer and other academic enrichment programs.
- Reduction of instructional materials, which includes a freeze on repair/new technology and basic supplies and cuts to textbooks, materials and software licenses. This may also negatively impact specials and athletic and co-curricular material purchases.
