By The Editor - Thursday, 28 August 2008

It’s hard for us to believe that creating a brand spanking new pre-K through grade 12 school district will be substantially cheaper for Charlestown than remaining in the Chariho School District.

Ah, but that’s not what the report said exactly. The Ad Hoc Withdrawal Committee charged with studying withdrawal options determined that building a new school district would be cheaper than tax equalization. That district would consist of a new kindergarten through grade 12 district as a first priority. Another option is for high school students to attend a neighboring district through town tuition payments.

Depending on the time line used to crunch these numbers, cheaper could very well be true.
But is the threat of tax equalization that great or that imminent? We think not, though the topic will likely continue to re-surface.

We think Charlestown, and Richmond for that matter, are simply tired of the lack of cooperation from Hopkinton on matters relating to the Chariho Regional School District – specifically of late, the bonds to fix up facilities.

But here’s the real rub. Does all this talk of withdrawal threaten the upcoming vote on the three-part $25-million school bond in November? Probably.

And that’s a shame because as we’ve stated before one walk around the Chariho High School campus will leave you with no doubt that there is a real need to refurbish the school and create additional space.

Yes, it’s unfair that Hopkinton pays a higher percentage of their taxes toward the schools but that’s the way it is. And as we have said before we don’t see an easy solution. If you were a Charlestown resident, would you willingly agree to pay more for schools with the same services/facilities?

We think not. The discussions, disagreements, and downright arguments will continue until this district is split up.

And that’s a real shame because a unified school district could do more for Chariho students than individual towns can do alone.