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Town Left without Libraries

Ohanian Comment: It's hard to imagine a town without a library. According to the 2000 Census, Winthrop's population is 18,303; 93.0% white, non-hispanic; median household income $53,122.

Winthrop High School students walked out of class yesterday afternoon to protest devastating budget cuts that will wipe out all school sports and decimate other programs.

``You can't go to high school without doing anything after school,'' said 17-year-old senior Briana Kneeland.

Town Meeting's rejection of a $6 million Proposition 2 1/2 override Monday means teacher layoffs, fewer electives, possibly the end of advanced placement classes and cuts to other town departments.

Students estimate 500 of the high school's 600 students stormed out of the doors shortly after 1 p.m. marching to the town center to chant ``SOS, Save Our Schools'' and wave signs.

They found a sympathetic ear with principal Stephen F. Chrabaszcz. He promised no disciplinary action.

``The town needs to provide a better education for its children,'' he said. ``They should have a right to a sports program.''

Students already pay a $325 fee to play. But, after the defeat of the override, officials plan to lay off Winthrop's athletic director, which will be the death knell for high school sports.

``If (another override) doesn't pass, I'll probably go to another school,'' said freshman football player Valentino Capobianco, 15.

Maureen Goodwin, 16, is already planning to attend Savio Prep Academy. ``They're cutting down all our sports and we have no library,'' she said.

Twenty-two teacher layoffs last year resulted in as many as 37 kids being crammed into classes. Another 17 teachers are slated for the chopping block next year.

The override's failure will leave Winthrop without libraries. School libraries are already closed and now the town's libraries will be shuttered July 1.

Alex Mavrakos, who led the opposition to the override, said someone was feeding students misinformation because no one was forcing the School Department to cut the athletic director.

The override would have tacked an additional $1,800 in property taxes on the average $425,000 single-family home. ``Our position was to be able to keep Winthrop affordable for all our citizens,'' Mavrakos said.


— Kevin Rothstein
Students decry Winthrop cuts
Boston Herald
2004-02-11
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/localRegional.bg?articleid=1860

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