Save the Date!

Get Involved Now

You can get involved now by contacting any of the NRUE members listed on this website.

Financial Support

We would appreciate any financial contributions. Thank you to those who have already supported us.

Make a donation - help us with a minimum suggested donation of $25 made payable to: North Reading United for Education and send to Pete Kaepplinger, 9 Fieldstone Way, North Reading, 01864

Important News

What's all this talk about health insurance? North Reading's health insurance budget will increase 11 percent next year, eating into a large portion of any revenues available for contractual and expense increases to keep the town and schools at level services. Read about the problem and solutions here, and tell leaders on Beacon Hill we need a solution NOW!

Key Links

 NR Public Schools
 NR Town Web Site
 Stand for Children
 Rep. Brad Jones
 Dept. of Education
 Dept. of Revenue
 Governor Deval Patrick

FAQs

Why was North Reading United for Education (NRUE) formed?
What is NRUE's mission?
How can I help support NRUE's efforts?
Can't the state help with funding shortfalls?
Why isn't there enough money to go around in North Reading?
Is the budget crisis unique to North Reading?

Why was North Reading United for Education (NRUE) formed?

North Reading United for Education (NRUE) was formed last year by a group of citizens concerned about maintaining educational quality in North Reading Public Schools for the long term. In FY2008 (the 2007-2008) school year, North Reading leaders and Town Meeting approved a budget that relied on passage of a Proposition 2 ½ override to provide a complete quality education in North Reading. When that override failed, many programs were cut and class sizes increased. The school week was cut to 4.5 days for Grades K-8, and programs for high school students were curtailed while class sizes ballooned. The citizens who formed NRUE felt that public school students in North Reading shouldn't bear the brunt of tight economic times. Instead, town leaders and voters need to support budgets that make the most of our town's limited resources and impact all groups and departments in town equitably.

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What is NRUE's mission?

NRUE's mission is to support fair funding of public schools in North Reading and a quality education for our students. NRUE does not support extravagant programs or annual overrides. We support equitable distribution of revenues between town services and public education as well as adequate support from Massachusetts leaders to meet education mandates and provide quality education. NRUE encourages all parents and interested citizens to exercise their voice and their vote throughout the year toward success of this mission. It is especially important for parents to attend Town Meetings in October and April and to share input with their town leaders as the town budget is developed each year.

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How can I help support NRUE's efforts?

First, you can help by attending Town Meetings and supporting budgets and spending that adequately fund education. It is helpful to speak with friends and neighbors about the need to get involved and show a strong voice in support of education in North Reading.

To help maintain and increase awareness, NRUE uses several communication tools, including this website, e-mail, phone calls, and advertisements in the Transcript. While we try to be judicious in our spending, we do need to raise funds for our efforts. Last year, on a budget of just $1,300, NRUE successfully lobbied to pass a budget that returned $700,000 and associated teachers and programs to our schools. Please consider investing in the effort by sending a contribution payable to NRUE to Pete Kaepplinger, NRUE Treasurer, 9 Fieldstone Way, North Reading, MA 01864.

Finally, NRUE and the North Reading Chapter of Stand for Children always welcome your active participation and assistance. If you have some time to give - even if it just an hour -- toward maintaining quality education in North Reading, please e-mail us at info@nrue.org.

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Can't the state help with funding shortfalls?

Clearly, as the town and individual families struggle financially, so does the state. In addition, increasing mandates from the state and federal government without adequate compensation also continues to stress local school budgets. Still, citizens should continue to tell their state leaders that adequate education aid to towns like North Reading is a top priority. To that end, many citizens in North Reading, including NRUE's leaders, have joined forces with Stand for Children to advocate for increased Chapter 70 education aid for cities and towns. The North Reading Chapter of Stand for Children regularly meets with our legislators and lobbies Beacon Hill to send more financial assistance to cities and towns.

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Why isn't there enough money to go around in North Reading?

Several factors contribute to continued financial stress. Although last year bucked recent trends, health-care benefits increased rapidly for several years, depleting tax dollars that could be spent on education and town services. In addition, unfunded mandates from the state and federal government, as well as higher energy costs, are eroding North Reading's ability to pay. Meanwhile, under Proposition 2 ½, North Reading can only increase revenues by 2.5% each year - not nearly enough to meet inflation, contractual obligations, and service needs. In addition, financial stresses in the housing market have caused higher than normal property tax delinquencies. While the town collects delinquent taxes or forecloses on property eventually, the delayed payments are seriously impacting cash flow.

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Is the budget crisis unique to North Reading?

North Reading is hardly alone in facing financial hardships. In fact, most cities and towns in Massachusetts are stretched to the point where their ability to provide education and town services is significantly compromised. The structural breakdown in municipalities' financial health has been widely reported in the media. If you are interested in gaining complete perspective on the issue, click here to read Commonwealth Magazine's comprehensive article entitled "Municipal meltdown".

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