Calculator for Groveland and Merrimac Residents Helps Weigh Impact of School Tax Override Vote

“Pentucket” means “the place by the winding river.” As such, the new Panthers logo includes the Merrimack River and three trees, reflecting the three sending communities in the Pentucket Regional School District seal. (Courtesy graphic.)

A new online budget calculator is available to help residents of Groveland and Merrimac weigh impacts of overriding the state’s tax-limiting law to pay the proposed Pentucket Regional School District spending plan.

To pay for the Pentucket Regional School Committee’s recommended a $50.7 million budget for the 2023-2024 school year, Groveland is asked to raise $1.25 million through override of Proposition 2 ½, while Merrimac is asked to raise an additional $860,000. The district’s third community, West Newbury, does not need an override to pay its assessment next year.

Superintendent Justin Bartholomew said the calculator has been added to the District’s budget website at https://pentucketbudget.com/. It allows residents to gauge the monthly and yearly impact of the override, based on where they live and the value of their properties.

To pass, the override must be approved by Town Meetings in Groveland and Merrimac, and in referendum votes in both communities. Groveland Town Meeting takes Monday, April 24, at 7 p.m. at Dr. Elmer S. Bagnall School. Merrimac Town Meeting takes place on the same day and time at Dr. Frederick N. Sweetsir School. Referendum questions appear on ballots in the Groveland and Merrimac Town Elections, both Monday, May 1.

A similar override vote last year failed in both towns. If the vote fails again, the District reports, the School Committee would consider cutting any transportation that is not required, removing a proposed athletics cap and/or eliminating more sports, using stabilization money, cutting middle and high school teachers, reducing electives or altering performing and visual arts programs.

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