Vocational School Debt Formula Change Gets Approval in Whitman
Residents back amendment to South Shore Regional agreement, potentially saving town money over time with rolling enrollment-based calculations
WHITMAN - December 2 - Whitman residents unanimously approved an amendment to the South Shore Regional Vocational School District agreement Monday night, changing how debt is calculated for member towns. The new formula uses a four-year rolling average of enrollment, a move that could save Whitman money over time.
The special town meeting, held at Whitman Town Hall, drew 101 voters to consider four articles, with the vocational school agreement amendment being the primary focus.
Tom Hickey, Superintendent of South Shore Tech, explained the proposed changes to the regional agreement, which was originally written in 1960.
"We will calculate debt share based on a four-year rolling average of enrollment," Hickey said. "And that will allow all of our communities to see debt shares adjust incrementally based on what happens to annual changes of enrollment."
The amendment also addresses the recent addition of Marshfield as the district's ninth member town. Marshfield will initially pay a debt share on an annual basis, as it doesn't have the enrollment history of long-standing communities like Whitman.
"Marshfield's share, as their enrollment grows over time, their debt share will grow and their share will be used to offset the costs," Hickey explained.
Currently, Whitman has 147 students enrolled at South Shore Tech, representing about 24% of the total in-district enrollment.
Rick Anderson, of Stetson Street, voiced his support for the article, calling it a matter of fairness.
"I just want to take this opportunity to thank Superintendent Hickey and the school district, the South Shore Vo-Tech, for listening to the concerns of Whitman," Anderson said. "The reason this article is on this special town meeting warrant is because Whitman asked to have a fairer share of the debt assessment."
Bob Kimball, of Auburnville Way, also expressed support for the article but urged the vocational school to consider the town's financial constraints when preparing future budgets.
"The town of Whitman is going to see a significant increase in taxes over the next few years," Kimball said. "I want the vocational school to take a look at their budget."
Kimball suggested the school consider a "greatest budget," a level-funded budget, and a budget based on what the town can afford.
In response to a question, Hickey clarified that the district currently has no debt, addressing concerns about existing financial obligations.
The amendment will take effect only if six of the member towns accept and approve it at their respective town meetings and upon approval by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
*editor’s note: Hanson, Scituate, and Rockland approved the amendment. Abington failed to achieve a quorum and could not vote. Two more towns are required.
In other business, the town meeting approved three additional articles:
- Article 1: Amended to expend $1,501.80 from fiscal 2025 DPW expense budgets to pay prior fiscal year bills.
- Article 2: Amended to expend $360.04 from the fiscal 2025 Treasurer-Collector Budget Expense Line to pay prior fiscal year bills.
- Article 3: Appropriated $161,099.25 from the Reserve for Appropriation Cable Access Account to fund PEG access services.
The meeting, which started at 7 p.m., concluded with a brief question about potentially changing the start time for future Annual Town Meetings. However, it was noted that such a change would require amending the town bylaws.
The Special Town Meeting adjourned after completing all four articles on the warrant.
Disclosure: South Shore News owner Justin Evans is a current member of the Whitman Select Board.