Easthampton voters mixed on override

EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - A $1.4 million tax override could impact teachers' jobs and programs in the Easthampton school system. 

If voters approve a proposition two and half override, the property tax increase would close a nearly one million dollar budget gap for Easthampton Schools.  And with just four days until the general election, Easthampton mom Judelis Vargas says, for her family, it's the right choice.

“For me, it's an investment for my daughter because I want the best for her. But I don't know for everybody else,” said Vargas whose daughter is a Maple Elementary student. 

Critics of the measure say they already supported a property tax increase two years ago, to pay for the new high school. And raising them again will just make people pay for taxes they can't afford.

“We're trying to do what we can to make our town up to date and as good as we can for everybody. But at this time, I think it will be a terrible, terrible hardship on people that are retired,” said Easthampton homeowner Sandy Bergmann.

The money will help restore more than one dozen teaching positions, update textbooks, and bring back the world language program at White Brook Middle School. Shelly Bathe Lenn's third grader attends Maple Elementary.  She was rounding up last minute support Friday morning.

“Families chose to send their kids outside of Easthampton for either their charter school programs or the choice school program. We are not going to lose those kids if we put the money back into our town,” said Bathe Lenn outside the school on Friday. 

Supporters of the measure say voter turnout could make or break the school district's budget. But some homeowners say the decision could break their bank.

The current tax rate is $13.27 per $1,000. If the override is approved, taxes for a home worth $200,000 will increase, on average, $200.