The Town of Northbridge has never passed a Proposition 2 1/2 override.  The town has had one of the lowest tax rates in the area.  For the town to collect more than the 2.5% in property tax each year, the town must pass an override.  This vote gives the town permission to exceed its tax levy collection above and beyond 2.5% to meet the needs of its residents.

The Town of Northbridge consistently asks our school district to present a budget that will maintain Level Services.  This means that every year we are just trying to maintain the current faculty and staff levels, transportation, athletics, clubs, academic offerings and class sizes.  This override is the bare minimum for us to maintain our existing level of standards and services in our schools.  Our failure to pass this Proposition 2 1/2 override will guarantee cuts that will not be replaced in the future, as next year we will again be asked to maintain the new "Level Services" budget.  This will have a devastating impact our school for years to come.  

The Massachusetts School Choice Program allows parents to enroll their children in public schools in communities other than their own. 

Simply put, when our district isn't funded well families can choose to send their children to a public school in another district.  

If Northbridge Public Schools are not performing well, are understaffed, and don't have offerings that keep students engaged and attending (such as AP Class Offerings, Preferred Clubs, Athletics, etc.), students can chose to attend public school in another town...but we still have to pay that bill.  

Enrollment in our district also directly impacts the amount of funding we get from the State.  So, when we lose students to other districts not only are we paying for that student to attend school elsewhere, but it can mean we receive less state funding which will then lead to more cuts.  It is a vicious cycle.  This is not the direction we want our district to trend.

What you may not know is that the home district still pays for that student's education, regardless of what public school they attend.
When students School Choice out of town we still have to pay for them.

What you may not know is that the home district still pays for that student's education,
regardless of what public school they attend.
When students School Choice out of town we still have to pay for them.

You can find more information shared directly from the District on our town's Public Schools website.  Visit www.nps.org and check out the About the District Tab.  Then click to view documents and presentations under School Department Budget as linked directly below: