Learn about school budget; League, LEF team up for event – January 15, 2004
By Brian Kelly, Staff Writer / Lexington Minuteman
Why does it cost Lexington Public Schools more and more each year just to keep the programs and staff it already has, and how are items on the school budget prioritized when cuts are necessary?

To answer those questions and many more, the Lexington League of Women Voters and the Lexington Education Foundation have teamed up to hold a forum featuring several local experts familiar with budgeting processes. The panel is set to include School Committee member Scott Burson, Appropriation Committee Chairman Deborah Brown, John Rosenberg of the Capital Expenditures Committee, State Rep. Jay Kaufman, D-Lexington, and former Selectman Peter Enrich, a Northeastern University law professor.

"The reason we decided to get together with the League of Women Voters was because we felt we would be providing a public service by offering a single event in which people could come and learn about financing public education," said LEF president Leslie Nicholson. "We felt there was a need for an objective presentation of information in a non-partisan setting. This type of presentation is something the league is very good at and has a strong track record with."

Nicholson said it's been "very gratifying" to work with the LWV on the event, especially because the issue seems to be of particular interest to many in the community.

"This will be a comprehensive source of information about the budget itself, the process by which priorities are set in the budget, [the outlook] on capital expenses ... [and] will give people a sense of how the Lexington situation fits into local and state policies," said Nicholson. "We have excellent speakers, and there will be lots of opportunities to ask questions."

LWV Co-President Joyce Miller said this panel discussion is just one of many her organization hosts throughout the course of the year, and they are designed to keep the community informed on issues in town. Most recently, the league held a discussion on developer AvalonBay's proposed redevelopment of the former Metropolitan State Hospital site off Concord Avenue.

"We want people to be knowledgeable, and we try to do things that are of interest to the community," said Miller. "We look to [bring in panelists] who can represent the subject very well. This will be extensive and informative, and will probably be one of the largest ones we've had [in awhile]."

League member Pat Costello is certain the meeting will be informative and beneficial to those who attend.

"Because Town Meeting is coming up and budget discussions have begun, people get riled up when they see cuts [could be] made in the schools," said Costello. "We generally try to [have a discussion] if there is talk of an override so people can discuss the issues and better understand what's got to give. I expect there will be [a big turnout]."

The forum is free to the public and will take place on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Clarke Middle School auditorium. For more information, call the League of Women Voters at 781-861-0123 or e-mail info@lexedfoundation.org .