Voters say no to school override

By Adam Swift

A $4.95 million override to help fund the school budget over the next year was defeated in Tuesday’s election.

In the unofficial election results released by the town clerk’s office on Wednesday morning, the town ballot measure failed by a margin of 5,385 to 3,845.

Overall, 9,352 of Winthrop’s approximately 14,500 registered voters cast ballots in the general election.

Local results in the presidential race saw Kamala Harris finishing ahead of Donald Trump, 5145 to 3,976.

In other contested races, Winthrop voters backed incumbent Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren over Republican challenger John Deaton, but by a narrower margin than statewide results, 4,967 to 4,197.

Democratic State Senator Lydia Edwards won her bid for reelection in the Third Suffolk district over Republican challenger Jeanna Marie Tamas. In Winthrop, Edwards finished with 4,734 votes to 3,802 to Tamas.

Democratic State Representative Jeff Turco ran unopposed and was also returned to office, as was Congresswoman Katherine Clark.

On the state ballot initiatives, Winthrop voters backed questions allowing the state auditor to audit the legislature and doing away with the MCAS test as a graduation requirement. Voters said no to ballot questions that would have given rideshare drivers the ability to unionize, allow for medical psychedelic use, and establish a higher minimum wage for servers.

Town Council President Jim Letterie said it is likely the school committee will come back with another override request in the spring, although it will probably look different than the one that was just rejected by voters.

“I’m disappointed with the results, but I totally understand the economic conditions that exist and the burden that it places on families,” said Letterie. “However, I do strongly believe that there is a need for increased funding with the schools. There is still an incredible need for increased funding for the schools; I hope that the school committee can potentially adjust the number and come back with an override option in the early spring.

“As the superintendent begins to do the ‘25-26 school budget, it might be easier for people to understand the gravity of the situation that we could be facing,” Letterie continued.