Sadly, we don’t see much hope for the Chariho School District. Well, let us clarify that – we don’t see much hope to resolve the differences among the towns that make up the district.

Hopkinton wants tax equalization and can you blame them? Their taxes going toward the schools are almost double what a homeowner in Charlestown pays. They just don’t have the tax base and Charlestown, for one, thinks that’s Hopkinton’s problem.

Charlestown doesn’t want tax equalization and is pondering leaving the district. Can you blame them? Hopkinton defeated what many residents think was a sound bond proposal to renovate the Chariho campus. When any town speaks of leaving the district we see it as an emotional reaction. One look at the numbers will bring residents back to earth – there’s no way to leave the district and not pay more. Plain and simple.  

Still Charlestown is looking and is even seeking an audit of their share of assets at the Chariho campus. Not a bad idea in any case.

And Richmond is also doing some re-considering. The Richmond Town Council approved a resolution for a re-vote on a split $26 million bond – the high school and R.Y.S.E separate from the middle school. They too want to discuss tax equalization and having a majority of voters decide school votes rather than a consensus of all three towns.

We don’t see an end to the disagreements or the discussions. We just don’t.

In a perfect world, the towns would meet and meet and meet until there is a resolution.
It seems like the disagreements are deep-seated and go back to when the district was formed.  

Maintaining the district makes financial sense. If that is the ultimate goal -- perhaps mediation is the next step. Serious mediation.

We wish the towns and the school district the best of luck.