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‘Not regular,’ but smooth open at SST

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HANOVER — The silver lining of communications has brightened the dark cloud of dealing with the coronavirus as a new school year begins at South Shore Tech, officials say.

Superintendent Dr. Thomas J. Hickey and his administrators provided a report on the district’s first “regular, not-so-regular” first day of school during the Wednesday, Sept. 16 meeting of the region’s School Committee.

“We were always great at communicating with our parents and families, but we have really raised that over this time,” Principal Mark Aubrey said. “We have the Cadillac version of hybrid learning right now.”

Parents are communicated with regularly via Zoom meeting and school administration, teaching, transportation, paraprofessional, custodial staff have worked all summer to ensure the successful start to the school year, Aubrey said.

School Committee Chairman Robert Heywood of Hanover spoke of a note he received from the parents of an incoming freshman.

“[They] are blown away by the openness — the information highway you have developed — they said it took 90 percent of the anxiety away from sending their child to a new school,” Heywood said.

Whitman committee member Dan Salvucci said he knows a 2003 SST alum whose son now attends the school.

“He is really impressed” with the communication with parents, Salvucci said.

Students had a full in-building orientation day and another day of remote instruction beginning Monday, Sept. 14 for two grades each day. The hybrid model began Wednesday.

There were seven days of staff training, including all new COVID protocols and procedures as well as an opportunity for staff to work on the development of digital content.

“We’re no longer in that emergency scramble situation that everybody in the  country was, at least in the Northeast was [in March],” Hickey said. “In a 10-day period, most of our students are in the building seven days out of 10, most students go to shop every day and all students come to school two days out of five for their academic week.”

The model permits officials to maximize use of the school building, with bus drivers able to follow a staggered schedule with upperclassmen coming into school on shop weeks from 7:40 a.m. to 1 p.m. Everyone else attends class from 9:05 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. Buses are cleaned between runs.

Students eat lunch at their desks, which are spaced six-feet apart. All students may have free lunch and breakfast, with three menu options available for each meal, through the end of the year, if they want it, as well.

Students may also take breakfast and lunch home the day before remote learning days, as well.

Flu shots were rolled out for students, as well. Only the name of the insurance is required. No ID numbers or money is required.

All school bathrooms are monitored by QR codes which track when students leave a classroom and enter/and leave lavatories.

Fewer than 25 students in total are on remote learning plans, according to Assistant Principal Sandra Baldner, of which only “a handful” are fully remote — taking even shop instruction at home, taking a regular school day, at home. Students attending class at the school are required to wear a mask at all times, and behavior during remote instruction days is graded.

Soldier’s sacrifice honored

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WHITMAN — After 77 years, Army Pvt. Robert A. Lonergan came home — if only in spirit — as a memorial marker was unveiled at his family’s former home at 44 Broad St.

Lonergan, who lies in a U.S. military cemetery in Tunis, Tunisia where he was killed during the North Africa campaign when he stepped on a landmine. He had joined the Army at age 39, over the age for the draft and an employee of the NY, NH & New Haven RR.

“He [would have] enjoyed a deferment from the military service,” said Whitman Veterans Services Agent Thomas McCarthy during a dedication ceremony Saturday, Sept. 12Lonergan served for nine months before his death, serving with the 47th Infantry/9th Div., that landed in Safi Morocco in November 1942.

Lonergan was killed on the last day of the North African Campaign and was buried in the North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia along with 2,840 other Americans killed in that theater of operations.

He was Whitman’s first casualty of World War II. He was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously.

U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch presented Lonergan’s nephew, Patrick Huntington, with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in Pvt. Lonergan’s honor.

“He didn’t have to go,” Lynch said to the small crowd of residents and town officials present. Selectmen Dan Salvucci, Justin Evans, Randy LaMattina and Brian Bezanson; Town Administrator Frank Lynam, state Sen. Mike Brady, D-Brockton, and state Rep. Alison Sullivan, R-Abington were among the officials present.

“There’s loyalty in the simple act of remembrance … especially during times like now, when there’s so much division in the country,” Lynch said. “It’s important at times like this that we come together for this purpose.”

Lynch, who chairs the House National Security Committee has been to Tunis and laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier there.

“It is probably the most beautiful military cemetery in the world,” he said, noting the grounds are meticulously cared for and local office workers frequent the spot.

He also noted there are a large number of Massachusetts natives, many who served in the Merchant Marine, who are buried there.

“So Robert A. Lonergan is in very good company,” Lynch said. “But it is very important for us to keep faith with the spirit in which he enlisted. He stood up for our country at a time when it was desperately needed.”

“No memorial was ever done, so we thought it would be a good thing,” Huntington said after a ceremonial salute and the playing of “Taps” and “Echo,” by members of the Post 22 Sons of the American Legion honor guard. The family had asked that the marker be placed.

“He had a deferment, if he wanted to, and was also offered the opportunity to stay in the United States because of his age, and he turned that down,” Huntington said.

Lonergan’s parents Delia and Patrick immigrated to the United States from Ireland.

“Their first son gave his life for their adopted country,” Huntington said.

His brother Edward and Francis also served in the armed services during WWII. There were nine children in the Lonergan family. The family lived in the house until his last sister died in 2008.

Whitman to honor service of Pvt. Robert Lonergan

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Whitman will honor the service and sacrifice of Pvt. Robert Lonergan of Whitman at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 12. Lonergan was killed in the Battle of North Africa 77 years ago on May 13, 1943. The Town will unveil a plaque in his memory outside of his former family home at 44 Broad St., in Whitman. Lonergan was the first soldier from Whitman killed in WWII while in the service of the United States Army.

Pvt. Lonergan was 39 years old when he enlisted in the army on July 31, 1942 and he served for nine months prior to his death. He was a member of the 47 Infantry – 9th Division that landed in November of 1942 on the beaches of Safi, Morocco. The Division continued with their successful campaign across North Africa to their final battle at Tunis, Tunisia which drove the German armies from the continent. This campaign represented the first direct engagement between American and German troops in WWII. Pvt. Longergan was killed on the last day of the campaign as a result of a land mine explosion.

Pvt. Lonergan was buried at the North Africa American Cemetery in Tunis Tunisia along with 2840 other Americans killed during the North Africa Campaign. The cemetery also memorializes the names of an additional 3724 members of the service that are listed as Missing in Action.

Pvt. Lonergan was the son of Delia and Patrick Lonergan who immigrated to this country from Ireland. His brothers Edward and Francis also served in the armed services during World War II. At the time of his death Private Lonergan left behind 8 brothers and sisters who are all now deceased.

 

High school sports in a time of COVID

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With football looking at a so-called “sandwich season” in late February, the rest of the W-H athletic season is planned to begin Friday, Sept. 18, Athletic Director Bob Rodgers said in briefing the School Committee, on Wednesday, Aug. 26. Competitive cheerleading has also been rescheduled, according to MIAA safety guidelines.

“We are very fortunate at Whitman-Hanson to be part of the Patriot League,” Rodgers said. “We’re like-minded schools, putting the safety of the kids first, but we also recognize that this is a very stressful time for students.”

He said that, whether a student’s outlets are drama, music, art or athletics, they need “some semblance of normalcy.”

The Patriot League’s athletic directors have been meeting on a nearly weekly basis, creating what they are calling a “Patriot League bubble” — which sees each team play only other schools within their division of the league. Two exceptions will be in girls’ sports, playing a single game vs Notre Dame of Hingham in soccer, volleyball and field hockey because that school does not have enough other opponents. To maintain Title IX balance, the boys’ soccer team will play North Quincy.

Safety measures governing crowd size and the requirement for face masks for players on volleyball and soccer teams, could evolve later on. The end date for spring sports — which starts on April 26 would be July 3.

“If we were to have some outbreak of coronavirus, we would be able to do some really good contact tracing because we will know who we’ve played,” Rodgers said.

He acknowledge that some people are unhappy that there will not be a state tournament in the fall, adding there might be one in the winter or spring if conditions improve.

“This really isn’t about championships,” Rodgers said. “It’s not about banners in the gym. It’s about giving kids participation, allowing them to be a part of something.”

He said the 11-12 game season will be about being able to play their sport, not about winning. When that shortened season is over, teams will play for what is being called the Patriot League Cup with play concluding no later than Nov. 20.

Rodgers estimated that teams would play two games a week with, perhaps more Saturday games in the past because transportation is going to be a “major issue.”

He also indicated that between the budget situation and ongoing cost of PPE and other coronavirus-related expenses, that he would return to the School Committee Sept. 9 to speak in-depth about user fees.

“We don’t pay much for athletics in W-H,” he said. “Our athletics are funded by the fundraising we do, through our user fees and through our gate receipts.”

Well-attended games and the resulting gate receipts pay for — among other things — ice time for boys’ and girls’ hockey, but with crowd limitations due to social distancing regulations, gate receipts will be reduced this year.

While the number of games are reduced, some schools are increasing user fees.

“I’m not going to ask this committee to raise the user fee, but I do want to keep it exactly where it is,” Rodgers said. He does, however, want to adopt a sliding scale refund policy in the event of games or season cancellations.

Coaches have also been offered the opportunity to take a leave of absence without the fear of losing their position if they are concerned about teaching job responsibilities or health issues.

What’s new in the stacks?

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Greetings! I hope you all are well. It’s been such a strange time for all of us, and I don’t want to minimize that, but I am happy to say that there are things to be grateful for. After a long period of not being able to see our patrons or even talk to them, we are back in business again, although at a distance.

Most libraries, including ours, are still closed. A few are partially open, but practicing great care in terms of contact. In the most meaningful way, though, we can serve you again, we can talk to you and we can even see you!

On that subject, we are now able to resume ordering new materials. During most of our shutdown, we have not been ordering books, CDs, DVDs or audiobooks. Some of the vendors were completely closed and some delivery providers were not delivering. All that is successfully over, and, clutching our money in our fists, we are tearing through catalogs to catch up.

There can still be a few wrinkles – our vendors are short-staffed in many cases, as some of the libraries in the network are. But, as I write this, there are six huge boxes of new fiction in our Community Room waiting to be cataloged, and an enormous nonfiction order on the way. We also have new films, CDs and audiobooks, and our network is available to order holds from as well.

So here is some of the good news: John Grisham, “Camino Winds;” John Sandford, “Masked Prey;” Lucy Foley, “The Guest List;” James Patterson, “The 1st Case” (and many more); Jennifer Weiner, “Big Summer;” Emma Straub, “All Adults Here;” Linda Castillo, “Outsider;” Kevin Kwan, “Sex and Vanity;” Danielle Steel, “The Wedding Dress;” Elin Hilderbrand, “28 Summers;” Louise Penny, “All the Devils are Here;” Jim Butcher, “Peace Talks;” and David Baldacci, “Walk the Wire” Many of these will be available in large print and audiobooks as well.

Our Hallmark movies have been such a success, we now have a selection of Hallmark books that are based on the movies. Just search Hallmark under All Fields in the catalog and there they are! Their bright covers are an antidote to the news of the day; just get onto the couch and dive in.

In nonfiction, a selection includes “Across That Bridge,” by John Lewis; “The Berkshires Farm Table Cookbook” by Elisa Bildner; “The Kidnap Years,” by David Stout; and “Too Much and Never Enough,” by Mary L. Trump.

The movies in the lineup include “Mr. Robot, Season 4;” “Midsommer Murders, Series 21;” “The Way Back;” “Uncut Gems;” “The Hunt;” “Burnt Orange Heresy;” “The Wretched;” ‘Yes, God, Yes and I Still Believe.”

I wish I could list them all, but be assured that there is much more to come. Our director, Marcie, can be found on the floor of the Community Room, licking her chops as she puts the shiny new volumes on carts. It’s pretty rare that we buy this much at one time, but we have a lot of time to make up. Meanwhile, our curbside pickup is doing big business, and even with the new books just starting to come in, our patrons are catching up on books they otherwise would have read in the past three or four months.

Central Site is working on the last few bugs, but it is wonderful to talk to so many of you and get some news of your doings.

We follow what I laughingly call the scientific approach, but we do keep abreast of the spread of the virus through official sites and by checking Governor Baker’s press conferences. By necessity, we err on the side of caution. We are also given updates by our own town government and board of health, the two bodies who will make decisions on opening. Be assured that we quarantine everything that comes in—this may show up as overdue books, but don’t worry.

As for our Summer Reading, the new missions ended officially on Aug. 5, but the program continued through Aug. 26. Prizes can be picked up (one at a time per person at curbside) through Sept. 9. Stephanie encourages families to repeat activities for fun.

One reminder: if you place a hold from home, that does not mean it is instantly available at the library. We get reports during the day of holds that have been placed—we have to wait for the reports to be generated.

If you get an email notice of a hold being available, call to make an appointment to pick it up. Otherwise, please wait for us to call and let you know that it is ready. But certainly, call anytime with questions. We are glad we have some good news for you.  Cheers!

Manslaughter charges filed against Lyric’s mother

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Shaniqua Leonard, 29, of Whitman was arraigned in Brockton Superior Court Tuesday morning facing manslaughter charges in the death of her 2-year old daughter Lyric Farrell back in December 2019.

She was taken into custody in Whitman on Monday.

Leonard was originally charged with one count of reckless endangerment in connection to her daughter’s death but faced upgraded additional charges after results were released from the medical examiner’s office.

According to testimony and statements presented by Assistant District Attorney Jessica Kenney, the autopsy results and report from the medical examiner found Lyric to have substantial blunt force head trauma, a brain bleed, optical nerve and retinal hemorrhaging.

The reasons offered by Leonard as to how Lyric was injured and as it was seen on the cell phone videos showing Lyric banging her head – were not comparable to the level of the sustained injury she experienced.

She died on Dec. 31, 2019, according to Kenney in a 3 ½ minute phone call to 911 EMS the night she was taken to the hospital.  Lyric was found propped up on a couch wrapped in a blanket. Leonard stated in the call to EMS, which was recorded, that she didn’t think the child was breathing. Whitman EMS started CPR after gaining entry to the house and noted the six other siblings were fully dressed and wearing jackets.

Leonard offered explanations and videos from her cell phone which were later obtained by the State police to offer an account of the 2-year old banging her own head on the floor and giving reasons such as:  the child hurt herself causing her own head trauma.

Kenney entering the statements and interviews with doctors and specialists who treated Lyric that the amount of trauma she sustained was comparable to a severe car accident.

There were various levels of bruising, healing and scratches on the child’s back and between her shoulders, which did not match statements Leonard made regarding the child’s causing self injury and contradicted testimony made by the six other children.

Sharon Farrell, Lyric’s grandmother, and her sister Laura, Lyric’s great aunt, sat in the proceedings.  They made a brief, joint statement outside the court.

“We are just happy that there has been a charge brought forth in this and we are hoping this continues and we will get justice for her.  We were favored. We are impressed… we are happy that they are keeping her (Leonard)… and we are waiting for justice for Lyric after that we are going to see if we can get justice with DCF.

“They should have never gave Lyric back to her mother, “ said her grandmother Sharon Farrell who wore a silver heart necklace and a purple shirt with Lyric’s smiling face.

“Her smile. Her smile and she was a sweet, sweet girl,” Sharon Farrell said. This is how she remembers her granddaughter.

Lyric lived with her grandmother up until two weeks before the 2019 holidays when DCF returned her to Leonard – who biologically had six other children. She had lost and regained custody of all of the children just months prior to Lyrics death.  Lyric was the last child placed back with Leonard. The children ranged in ages of 12 down to year old twins.

  Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz had requested a $100,000 cash bail on Leonard in connection with the updated charges.  GPS monitoring, no contact with any of her children, mental health counseling, and no possession of a firearm were among the stipulations requested by the Commonwealth.

In the  serious concern of Leonard being a flight risk, which the judge took into consideration in his final decision, it was apparent she had tried to travel to California and had contacted family in Mississippi the very night of Lyric’s trauma transport resulting in her death two days later.

Michael Tumposky, Leonard’s defense attorney, argued that she has stayed in compliance with all of the court imposed conditions of her release for the past 7 months on $2500 bail, and did not attempt to leave or see any family out of state.

“If there was any intent or ability on her part to flee while she was out on $2500 cash bail possibly looking at a murder charge she would’ve done so,” he stated.

Leonard was present in the court and she pled not guilty to manslaughter and not guilty to reckless endangerment of a child.

The imposed bail for Leonard on Tuesday was $25,000 cash bail and no contact direct or indirect with any of her biological children.

The children were taken away from Leonard’s custody nearly eight months ago. The children have been placed in foster homes, are receiving therapy and are in place for adoption, according to Kenney.

  Leonard is due to appear in Plymouth Court in September.

School Committee discusses safety outlines

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School Committee members debated the merits of opening school doors in September before voting in support of the School District’s hybrid reopening plan.

“Nobody’s going to be happy today,” said Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Szymaniak. “Some people will be thrilled. Some people will be really upset. Some people will say, ‘Oh, great, that’s what they decided.’”

Some School Committee members initially favored a more cautious approach.

“My main concern is really taking more of a conservative and cautious approach with the hybrid plan itself, really almost slowing down the pace,” said School Committee member Dawn Byers. Even limiting the number of students in the building at one time to half the student population worries her a bit, leading her to wonder if the district could create a “hybrid of a hybrid” by phasing in the district’s plan.

“I think of this as a marathon from September to June, not necessarily ‘We’ve got to do all of this in September,’” she said.

“We can pivot on anything,” Szymaniak said. “I know other districts are talking the same thing as a slower roll-in [but] I am concerned that, if we have a spike by October, and we never get in, we’re not getting in.”

Speaking as the former high school principal, Szymaniak said it is amazing how the building “opens up” each June after the senior class graduates. The hybrid approach would only bring half the student body in at one time.

“[Principal Dr. Christopher] Jones is going to have a structure in place to keep them apart,” Szymaniak said. “I believe it will be safe in this building.”

But Szymaniak said a longer phase-in is an option for the School Committee. He is trying to balance educational progress with student safety and parent schedules.

He also said the smaller class sizes possible with the divided student cohort days may provide some opportunities to improve teaching practices.

Assistant Superintendent George Ferro said the proposal as presented gives teachers time to assess how students will react to the plan.

The plan still could pivot to a regular school program by the second semester if things go well, according to Szymaniak. Ferro added that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will also be looking at metrics of how a community is faring with coronavirus.

WHEA representative Kevin Kavka said that — while the union will work with school leadership on hours, wages and conditions no matter what plan is adopted — there is a great deal of anxiety among teachers.

“The general trend is, ‘We’ll make this work, we want to do what’s best for kids,’” he said about a survey of teachers. “But there’s certainly concerns over safety.”

He said Szymaniak and Ferro’s presentation addressed some of those concerns.

School Committee member Fred Small said that, in speaking with teachers in his family, they stressed to him how important it is for teachers to make a connection with their students.

In other business, Szymaniak presented a policy on mask wearing in which teachers wear masks all the time and students in kindergarten through grade 12 also wear masks.

“The best barrier for this virus is masks,” he said. “If it’s going to make our kids feel safe and our teachers feel safe, I’d like to implement that.”

He said there will be students who can’t wear a mask, but stressed there is a difference between a can’t and a won’t. Students who have documented medical reasons why they can’t wear a mask will be accommodated.

The School Committee also voted to approve an interim general policy on COVID-related issues from the state that permits Szymaniak to make decisions outside of going to a full approval process if COVID issues require it.

BBB offers parents tips for hiring virtual learning tutors

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As parents navigate returning to school, and with some being informed that school will start with virtual learning due to COVID-19, many are turning to tutors to help keep kids motivated and learning. Hiring a tutor for your child is a great way to help them with a subject in which they struggle, ensure that they’re staying on top of their curriculum, or prepare them for an assessment.

When looking for a tutor, however, it can be difficult to know where to start. There are many different options out there: from frequency and subject matter to types of tutoring businesses. The following Better Business Bureau tips will help you find the best tutor for your child:

Know your options. There are many types of tutoring services: in-home one-on-one sessions, small group lessons, online instruction, and tutoring centers. You also have to choose between hiring an individual freelance tutor, and going through a tutoring company that will match you to a tutor.

Ask for referrals. Asking friends and family if they have any recommendations is a great place to start. You can also ask your child’s favorite teacher, or other school employees for referrals. Make sure the tutor is knowledgeable in the specific area your child needs help in and has experience working with students your child’s age.

Check references. You should ask the individual tutor or tutoring service for references, and contact them. It’s best to speak to at least three references. Ask about their experience with the tutor and what sort of results they saw. When you’re interviewing potential tutors, make sure they understand what you’re looking for. Some tutors are better at homework help, some are better at long-term lessons, and some are better at quick test preparation.     

Discuss the details. Make sure to talk about availability . Having a consistent schedule is best, but you may need to add additional sessions if a big test is coming up. It’s important to discuss pricing before hiring a tutor. Price will depend on the level of experience of the tutor, frequency and type of sessions, and whether or not you’re going through a center. It’s also a good idea to talk to the tutor about benchmarks of success beforehand.     

Include your child. Throughout the process, ask your child how they think the sessions are improving their school work. Find a qualified tutor near you in the BBB directory. Private tutors and tutoring companies promise to boost children’s competence, but BBB says to do your research before hiring.

Settling into home

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HANSON — After spending their first year in a fully functional, handicapped accessible dwelling Army veteran Paul Skarinka and his family are settling into their forever home.

This week the Jared Allen Home for Wounded Worriors foundation (JAH4WW)  caught up with the Skarinkas  via a Zoom conference video call from their State Street home in Hanson.

Paul Skarinka, who was a corporal in the Army when he was wounded serving in Iraq, is a Plympton firefighter/paramedic and both a former resident and a call firefighter for the town of Whitman.

Along with his wife Jenn, and daughter, Lilliana, son Noah did not attend the Zoom reunion, the Skarinka described the family’s “new normal.”

The session also featured a short slide presentation showing behind the scenes views of the building and details of the home coming together as well as how the family takes pleasure in their new space.

Joining in the Zoom reunion  were JAH4WW Director and Founder  Jared Allen, a retired Minnesota Vikings defensive end, Alex Karalexis Executive Director for Jared Allen Homes 4 Wounded Warriors,  a former UFC fighter and native of Hanson, and Amanda Rahtz Director of Communications and Event Planning.

In comparison to their old home, Skarinka said he freely moves around in his wheelchair to whichever room he needs, at anytime, the one level, open living space has no raised doorways and “no speed limit,” he joked.

“There may be the occasional ding in the walls,” he said.

He recalled the family’s old home where two sets of stairs were not only physically dangerous and painful for him to climb, they depleted his ability to stay involved in everyday activities with his young children.  Wife Jenn, who also has a full-time career said the days Paul was home were often spent sliding up and down the steps to collect necessities  on the lower level of the old house — such as laundry and things for the children to bring to the upper level of the split-level home.

Now, if he wants to take off his prosthetic leg, which weighs approximately 15 pounds, he is able to use his wheelchair inside; meaning less pain and more autonomy.  He described a corner of the garage is his “man-town” and wife Jenn has her four-season sitting room, showing that breathing space is bountiful at the Skarinka’s.

In photos shared by the family, the children were seen celebrating Christmas, and Lilliana enjoying the beautiful modern cooking area making a dessert in an accessible kitchen. They are adjusted and enjoying the new house as well as using the full backyard to play in.

The family applied for consideration of the custom home through the  JAH4WW organization although they despite the tragedy and struggles which Skarinka deals with daily the family remained humble about the consideration for the new house.   

In September 2004, Skarinka was seriously wounded in a grenade blast in Baghdad, which left him suffering from numerous life-altering conditions, including the amputation of his leg. He continues to receive medical treatments and has had countless surgeries.

The JAH4WW foundation was formed in October 2009 after Allen returned home from his USO trip to U.S Military Bases in the Middle East. He was moved by the commitment, dedication, and sacrifices that our soldiers make every day to protect our freedom. He wanted to say thank-you to every soldier in the only way that he knows how.

“By embracing the conflict and making a positive life-changing difference in the lives of those who need it most, our mission is to raise money to build and remodel handicap accessible homes to suit the individual needs of our injured United States military veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan,” Allen said. He and his JAH4WW will help make life for wounded vets just a little bit easier.

For further information on becoming involved or donating to the upcoming ventures see the JAH4WW website and all of their current projects (homesforwoundedwarriors.com).

School budget recommended

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HANSON — Parting ways with the Finance Committee, the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, July 21 voted 5-0 to recommend that voters approve Article 5 to amend the W-H Regional Agreement at the Wednesday, July 29 Town Meeting.

The Finance Committee had voted 5-0 against recommending the article. Both boards had voted to recommend approval of the school budget.

Selectmen had met to review the special and annual Town Meeting warrants and vote on recommendations of articles on which they had not yet taken action.

“This isn’t where we want to be, but I really, really truly believe that we should try find a way to support this article and take the 50-50 deal,” said Selectmen Chairman Kenny Mitchell, arguing that the following year’s move to the statutory assessment method is not necessarily set in stone. “You could still renegotiate that agreement — that’s an addendum to the agreement.”

He argued that a “No” vote on the article will cost Hanson more money in the long run, while providing the town less services.

“Everyone has different reasons why they’re not going to support this, and I totally get it,” Mitchell said. “Most of the reasons I agree with, but if I put the reasons aside and I think about the kids and I think about COVID-19, everyone’s been through such a difficult year.”

Mitchell pointed to the challenges the schools must overcome related to the pandemic [see related story] between now and the start of school — and what that will look like.

“If this article gets voted down … We’re the leaders,” he said. “We’re the ones everyone in the town voted for as their voice of reason, and as a resident if my Selectmen didn’t support it, then why would I support it?”

Selectman Matt Dyer initially expressed concern that the article was a “this or nothing” proposition.

“I just don’t think we should be mandated, or sign a contract saying in perpetuity this is going to be statutory,” Dyer said.

Selectman Jim Hickey said he wanted to hear the Finance Committee’s reasons for voting against recommending before he voiced his opinion.

Finance Committee Chairman Kevin Sullivan said it came down to a math problem.

“I have to present a balanced budget to Town Meeting,” he said, noting someone would have to offer an amendment from Town Meeting floor to provide the $800,000 needed to fund the article. “Right now, we don’t have the money to cover that $800,000 so it would lead to the significant cuts we’ve discussed.”

He noted the overwhelming margin of defeat of the override question on the June 27 Town Election ballot. He also said there would be no leverage to force Whitman back to the bargaining table.

“If we agree to this, there’s no going back,” Sullivan said, noting he had favored the override.

“I was also for the override and I voted for it,” Hickey said. “But, this is the 11th hour and I’m not willing to take the chance — my kids have already gone through the school system — but, as a parent, I’m not willing to take the chance.”

He said that, while Whitman has the chance to vote on the issue before Hanson does, if Hanson Selectmen do not recommend the article, then Whitman doesn’t have to vote.

“Prior to the [Town Meeting] we’ll know what Whitman did,” said Moderator Sean Kealy about that community’s Town Meeting on Monday, July 27.

“If we, as a board, at least recommend this there will at least be a school system for our kids to go to,” he said. “If this article isn’t approved, there’s a real possibility that the whole school system is going to be shot to hell.”

Selectman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett agreed that finding the $800,000 will be the challenge.

“If we pass it, where does the money come from?” she said. “But to think we’re going to get a better offer is delusional.”

Sullivan said revenue is down and new growth is way down, so it would have to be settled at Town Meeting because he said the town could not afford to close the session with that size hole in the budget.

FitzGerald-Kemmett said even if the article fails, Hanson is looking at a bare minimum $10.9 million expense with at least a $500,000 deficit and a future of statutory assessments.

“Everybody’s going to be a colossal loser in that picture,” she said. “To me, this amendment is an opportunity for us to say we agree to the 50-50 for this year.”

She said that while Whitman appears a willing partner to negotiations this year, but is uncertain for prospects after that.

“I can’t believe there is anyone here who rationally believes that we will get a better deal from Whitman,” said Selectman Wes Blauss, but he advocated recommending the article as well.

“I just don’t want to be sitting here on Dec. 2 saying, ‘You know what? We should have took the deal,” Mitchell said about the looming possibility of a state takeover if an agreement can’t be reached.