Voters in Grafton and Northbridge approved Proposition 2½ override measures on May 19, allowing both towns to maintain current funding levels for their public school systems.
The passage of these overrides is significant for both communities as it prevents major cuts to educational services. Proposition 2½, a state law enacted in 1980, limits annual property tax increases but allows towns to seek voter approval for higher taxes when expenses outpace available funds.
In Grafton, residents voted in favor of a $5 million override by a margin of 2,467 to 1,428. The majority of the new funding will support Grafton Public Schools over five years. The town reported that the average residential tax bill will increase by $146 per year during this period. Had the measure failed, officials said about a dozen school staff positions would have been cut along with middle school sports and some foreign language programs. The override was placed on the ballot after approval at Town Meeting by a vote of 575-131.
Grafton also elected two new Select Board members: Victoria Duckworth received 2,147 votes and Colleen Roy received 2,098 votes. They replace Mark Alimo and Matthew Often. In the School Committee race, Rebecca Soco retained her seat with a narrow victory over Lori Trahan (1,816 votes to Trahan’s 1,759). Voters further approved a $4 million debt-exclusion measure for a new roof at Grafton Middle School by a vote of 2,723 to 1,125.
Northbridge voters passed their own $3.3 million override supporting Northbridge Public Schools with a vote count of 1,449 in favor and 1,106 against. This follows last year’s failed attempt at passing an override; since then the district made several cuts including teaching positions and an elementary librarian role while moving eighth-grade students into Northbridge High School.
In other election results from Northbridge: Russell Collins was re-elected to the Board of Selectmen with Mike Selzo filling another open seat; John Biagioni finished third in that race. For the school committee seats Heather Alder retained her position while Dana Booker won election over incumbent chair Shannon Canoy.
