Calling On Our Elected Representatives
Dear editor,
I am writing as a resident of Winthrop, I’m calling on Representative Katherine Clark to do more to prioritize our health, climate, and future. This includes:
• Stopping efforts to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act’s climate and clean energy policies that will put us on a path to cut climate pollution 40 percent by 2030, create 9 million jobs, and lower energy prices.
• Blocking the Trump administration and unelected billionaire Elon Musk from cutting vital government programs and staff to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy.
• Resisting attempts to eliminate various environmental protection laws.
As a concerned grandparent climate issues impact me greatly. We have heating and cooling with an HVAC system; a good discount through the Inflation Reduction Act enabled us to install it. I want everyone to be able to get this.
I urge Representative Clark to protect people in our community over corporate polluters!
Carol Walker
Supports New Firehouse
Dear Editor,
I am writing to voice my strong support for the proposed new firehouse to replace our current, outdated facility. Our firefighters are the backbone of our community, responding to emergencies at all hours to keep us safe. Yet, they are working out of a firehouse that is in an unacceptable condition—deteriorating, undersized, and lacking the modern infrastructure needed not only for an effective emergency response, but for the health and safety of our firefighters.
The dilapidated condition of the existing firehouse isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a danger to both them and us. I have personally experienced the dedication of our local firefighters, and I have witnessed their response to emergencies experienced by several of my neighbors as well. They show up, ready to help us in any and all situations. When we need them, we call them, and they come. Every time, without fail and without delay. Yet, when they ask us for help, as they did in 2023, we let them down. We turn our backs and let them know that their health and safety do not matter to us. It is disgraceful.
Despite their professionalism and speed, they are working under subpar conditions that hinder their ability to serve us at their best. The tax increase is a small price to pay for the safety of our families and the security of knowing that help will arrive as fast as possible when we need it most. Investing in a new firehouse is not just about improving a building—it’s about ensuring that our community has the best possible emergency response when disaster strikes.
Let’s stand by our firefighters the way they stand by us every day. Please join me in voting ‘Yes’ for the new firehouse on Saturday, April 5th. Put it on your calendar and make a plan to vote.
Tracey Honan
Precinct 5
Vote Yes on Ballot Questions
Dear Editor,
Our community has an important election coming up on April 5 (a Saturday). As JFK said, “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”. I implore the residents of Winthrop to invest in the future of our community by voting yes on all three ballot questions. This will support continued services for our students and prevent massive staffing cuts and program reductions. It will also support construction of a safe and appropriate fire house for the people who keep us safe in emergencies. Nothing exists in a vacuum; firefighters have children in our schools, and teachers who serve our students benefit from the safety of the new station supporting our firefighters. When all our community’s needs are met everyone in the community benefits. Please vote yes so that we can ensure a bright future for our town. investinwinthrop.com to find out more.
Cassie Witthaus
Precinct 6
Winthrop School Committee Urges Community to Vote YES on Questions 2 and 3 to Secure the Future of Our Schools
Dear Editor,
The future of Winthrop’s public schools is at a crossroads, and the upcoming town vote on April 5 presents a critical opportunity to protect the quality of education for many years to come. We, the Winthrop School Committee are urging residents to vote YES on Ballot Questions 2 and 3, which will provide essential funding to maintain staffing levels, preserve academic programs, and create financial stability for the district.
Why This Vote Matters Winthrop Public Schools (WPS) faces a looming budget shortfall that threatens core educational services. Without additional funding, the district will be forced to make severe cuts that will negatively impact students, families, and the community. A YES vote on Questions 2 and 3 will ensure that WPS can continue providing a high-quality education, maintaining critical programs, and securing financial stability for future years.
Question 2: Maintaining Educational Excellence A YES vote on Question 2 will provide $3.5 million in critical funding for the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) operational budget, allowing the district to maintain current staffing, programs, and essential resources. Without this funding, WPS will face:
• The potential loss of up to two teacher positions per grade (K-8), increasing class sizes from 20-22 students to 26-32 students.
• Cuts to Advanced Placement (AP) courses, special programs, and foreign language offerings.
• The elimination of up to 12 additional staff positions across the district.
• The potential loss of middle school athletics or steep increases in fees for participation.
• Reductions in instructional materials, technology, textbooks, and software licenses.
• Higher fees for after-school programs, clubs, and extracurricular activities.
As Superintendent Lisa Howard has shared over the course of the last year or so, this isn’t about adding new programs—it’s about preserving what we already have. Without this override, our students will experience larger class sizes, fewer opportunities, and a diminished educational experience.
Question 3: Ensuring Long-Term Financial Stability A YES vote on Question 3 will establish a $1.45 million School Stabilization Fund dedicated to future school expenses. Rising operational costs—such as health care (+9.5%) and utilities (+8.4%)—have placed a significant financial burden on WPS. This stabilization fund will help the district manage these increasing costs while allowing for strategic long-term planning.
A stabilization fund gives us the ability to plan ahead and avoid crisis budgeting. This is about ensuring that Winthrop’s students receive the education they deserve.
What Does This Mean for Taxpayers? The cost of these measures is a reasonable investment in the town’s future. Based on the averaged Winthrop assessed home value of $697,309, the estimated quarterly costs are:
• Question 2: $160
• Question 3: $66
Communities that invest in education see long-term benefits, including higher home values, stronger local economies, and safer neighborhoods. By supporting this override, Winthrop residents will be investing in the future success of students and the overall well-being of the town. Our schools are more than just places of learning—they are the foundation of our community. If we don’t act now, we risk seeing the quality of our education decline. This is a defining moment for Winthrop.
We encourage all residents to vote YES on Questions 2 and 3 on April 5. By approving these measures, the community can ensure that students continue to receive a strong education, teachers have the resources they need, and the district remains financially stable in the years ahead.
For more information on the override and how it will impact Winthrop Public Schools, visit InvestInWinthrop.com. Together, we can secure a brighter future for Winthrop’s children.
Sincerely,
The Winthrop School Committee
Jennifer Powell, Chair
Julie Barry, Vice-Chair
Jim Letterie, Town Council Chairman
Suzanne Leonard
Gus Martucci
Layne Petrie
Zachary Purinton