03.4.2008 | 4:43 pm | Local Government, Schools
If you go to this government site, you can get a real nice snapshot of the key metrics of how the NR School system is doing. How are they spending the money and how the NR school system fares versus the stat average.
Here are some interesting items given the current future vote to get an override to fund the added needs for the public school system:
- The average spend per pupil for North Reading is $8,429 in 2006 versus a state average of $11,210 or 26% lower.
- The Student/Teacher Ratio for 2006/2007 in NR was 15.5 to 1 versus a state average of 13.2 to1.
- The graduation rate was a nice 93.6% versus the state average 80.9% (2006/2007 school year).
As I mentioned in a previous post, money invested in the school systems is to me a no-brainer as long as the MCAS / school rankings go up along with the investment.
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03.3.2008 | 11:25 pm | Real Estate
Curious what a particular house is assessed for real estate tax purposes? Wondering if you are paying versus your neighbors? Go here to find out. I just did a couple of checks and I wonder how they really figure this stuff out because I can’t tell why a certain house is paying more or less than I am.
It is a pretty good way to see if you want to try to ask for abatement.
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03.2.2008 | 2:13 pm | Local Government, State Government
I want to praise House Minority Leader Brad Jones of North Reading for his opposition of the 1 billion life sciences bill. Why does the government need to help out an private sector that is “growing by leaps and bounds” as State Rep. Dan Bosley (D-North Adams points out?
Shouldn’t this money be poured a back in to much need currently run public systems like um the public school systems? Most towns have to go through hard tax overrides to get the “basics” like I wrote about here. Sometimes I just don’t get it really.
We can only hope the Senate has more sense.
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03.2.2008 | 3:50 am | Local Government
The school committee has voted in a favor the 2008-2009 school budget which will of course require an override of Proposition 2 1/2 . The school system is looking for $1.3 million dollars according the the North Reading Transcript. If this gets voted in, finally Wednesday will be a full day of school not just the current 1/2 day as well as other programs being restaffed.
So what do I think? Of course this should be voted in for many reasons but I can understand why people vote against it. Who is managing the school finances? How much are their health care benefits? How much pension is being funded? How does it benefit me if I don’t have kids. Having said that, this is the best money a taxpayer can pay.
Why? Better education simply equals a more stable and more attractive real estate market for all North Reading residents. In the long run, it is the best investment that can be voted for. Tax funds specially used for public schools in the interest of all voters of all ages who plan on one day selling their houses.
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03.2.2008 | 3:35 am | Sports
Looks like local Kevin will be attending Assumption College on a baseball scholarship:
North Reading senior left-handed pitcher Kevin O’Leary will attend Assumption College on a baseball scholarship. O’Leary was 4-1 last year with a 2.58 ERA. In 38 innings, O’Leary fanned 38 batters. His season highlights were complete game wins over Lynn English and a triumph over St. Mary’s (Lynn) in the Division 3 North sectional semifinals. (Boston Herald)
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