Town Council Candidates Discuss School Budget and Potential Override Vote
Candidates weigh impact on taxpayers amid calls for smaller class sizes
BRIDGEWATER - March 31, 2025 - Bridgewater Town Council candidates are addressing the possibility of a school budget override as the Bridgewater-Raynham School District faces funding challenges that could impact class sizes and educational quality.
During a recent candidates forum hosted by BTV, contenders for the Town Council shared their perspectives on the potential override, which would increase property taxes to provide additional funding for the school district.
Dr. Kevin Perry, an incumbent councillor seeking reelection, acknowledged the financial constraints facing the town and schools.
"The facts are this – the town's budget is going to be coming out at our meeting on April 8," Perry said. "There's not going to be enough money in the budget to even level fund the schools as they proposed a prior budget."
Perry noted that the school committee recently approved a budget that would increase Bridgewater's contribution to the schools by $7.58 million, creating a significant funding gap.
"Where are we going to find that in the existing budget? It's not there," Perry said. "This is unfortunately why we're having discussion of an override."
Marilee Kenny Hunt, candidate for councillor at large, expressed support for an override despite concerns about its impact on taxpayers.
"I would be in favor of an override, wishing that I didn't have to be," Hunt said. "But our schools need what our schools need. They're not able to keep up with the student body that they've got and we're going to have to fund them some way or another."
Jim Wilder, also running for councillor at large, called for more transparency about how the funds would be used.
"The people in favor of the override really need to spell it out to the taxpayer," Wilder said. "They really need to explain to everybody what it's going to do. You need a five-year plan, you need specifics on where that money's going to be spent."
Fred Chase, seeking reelection in District 3, pointed to class size as the main driver behind the proposed override.
"The main driver behind this proposed override is the reduction of class size to permit more individualized instruction and minimize the drain on teacher resources and burnout of teachers whose instruction is overwhelmed by classrooms nearing or exceeding 30 pupils," Chase said.
Chase added that an override is "likely the only solution to the funding needs of our schools at this point."
Sean Kennedy, challenging Chase for the District 3 seat, expressed concerns about approving an override without addressing existing issues in the school system.
"I do not want to see the school system go to a 1/12 budget, which is going to cause teachers to get pink slips," Kennedy said. "But what I also heard in there was that if an override doesn't pass, they do have a backup budget."
Kennedy called for an audit of the school system, particularly the special education department, before approving additional funding.
"I'm not in favor of throwing more money at something that is problematic right now without ensuring that we're going to have a check and balance if they receive that funding," Kennedy said.
Johnny Loreti, an incumbent councillor at large seeking election after being appointed to fill a vacancy, emphasized the need for careful consideration.
"Any great society is built on the shoulders of its educated children and I believe in making the full investment into our children," Loreti said. "I believe that our children deserve what is best."
However, Loreti cautioned against rushing an override vote without proper analysis.
"I would like to see an in-depth analysis of how we're spending all of our dollars at the school and understanding what is an actual number that we need to lower the class sizes," Loreti said.
Eric Christiansen, also running for councillor at large, indicated support for an override if necessary.
"The schools in Bridgewater are important. I mean, we are a college town and we have an education branding," Christiansen said. "Class sizes are key and certainly the class sizes are getting too large. If an override is necessary, I would be in favor of that."
The timing of a potential override vote remains uncertain. Perry suggested in his State of the Town address that the vote be scheduled for October or November to allow time to educate the public, but acknowledged that timeline might not be feasible.
"We are running out of time. If we do want to get it in, potentially sometime in June, that's kind of the latest discussion," Perry said.
Perry also noted that the last override in Bridgewater occurred in 2010, suggesting such measures typically happen every 10 to 15 years to "reset the budget levy."
The candidates' discussion of the school budget override comes amid broader concerns about Bridgewater's infrastructure, including water quality issues and road maintenance needs that could require additional funding in the near future.
The annual town election is scheduled for Saturday, April 26. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Bridgewater Middle School.