My name is Fred Small, and I am running for a fourth term on School Committee. My wife is a lifelong Whitman resident (aka a “townie”), I am a longtime resident, and both of our children are graduates of Whitman Hanson Regional Schools as well as residents. 

I wish to humbly ask for your consideration and vote on May 15th. There are still many challenges facing our educational system here in Whitman. I feel that I have unfinished business on the School Committee and would cherish the opportunity to see my goals realized. If reelected my priorities (in no order) would be as follows. 

  • A sustainable budget that provides the foundation for a 21st century education for our children to prosper. I would advocate for a clear path that will articulate the additional needs of our children educationally, socially, and emotionally. Thus, ensuring that our educational resources are advanced year after year with the goal of providing the best education possible to all.  
  • 1 to 1 devices for all students. 
  • A dedicated person in administration that in addition to their current duties will seek out and apply for various grants. This would be for all grant opportunities from cultural programs to green vehicles. 
  • Strengthened Cultural/Arts/Music enrichment programs. 
  • Talented and gifted programs to challenge our accomplished students. 
  • Full Day Kindergarten for all.  
  • A robust foreign language program for today’s world. 
  • Restoration of a library program in each school designed for the 21st century. 
  • Proper programs in place for our students that require additional attention. We have many great professionals within our district to advise us on what they need to do their job, it is up to the School Committee to provide the tools needed within our resources. Touring our schools and speaking with parents I know how wonderful our kids are. The spirit of inclusion that occurs every day in our building is heartwarming, and we need to build off of that! 

Our situation is unique. The district’s revenue is comprised of almost 50% in Chapter 70 (state aid) funding. This leaves the “other” half of the budget to the assessment of our 2 member towns. In a nutshell, a 2.5% increase to the budget equates to a 5% increase in the overall assessment. For FY22 the operating assessment increased by $2,169,452.40 to the 2 towns. Whitman’s increase is $737,511.47 while the estimated revenue increase in Whitman is about $1,000,000.00. For years the school district has tried pounding a square peg in a round hole, and it is time to work collaboratively with both towns. 

Once again, I humbly ask for your vote on May 15th. And remember; THINK BIG-VOTE SMALL!