Budget cuts and overrides around the state

In Canton, middle school students idle in vast study halls because electives have been pared and teachers have been laid off...In Beverly, for example, officials tried to avoid a tax hike by drafting a budget that would cut 61 full-time positions and close two elementary schools.

The Boston Globe article on Sunday covering the deep cuts around the state has plenty of horror stories (removing light bulbs at City Hall, anyone?) What I found most interesting in this article was the number of towns that are moving for overrides, some of which have already passed:

Last year, 76 towns sought overrides to balance operating budgets, less than half of which passed. About 50 are expected this season...

As you'll see the article, some of these have failed. What I find heartening is the number of communities that are trying, even in the oft-mentioned "tough economic times," to keep their schools in good shape. And remember, Worcester isn't moving for an override. Getting an additional $5 million to prevent cuts this year wouldn't require one, as it wouldn't even come close to raising taxes that 2 1/2 %.