Norwell Launches Online Override Information Hubs

NORWELL — Two new online resources are now available to help residents understand the proposed fiscal year 2026 override and its potential impacts on both town services and local schools.

During its March 26 meeting, the Norwell Select Board announced the launch of an override information hub on the town’s website. The page provides tools such as a tax calculator and downloadable materials related to the override, the FY26 budget, and upcoming town meetings. Residents can use the calculator to estimate how the override would affect their property taxes.

In a parallel effort, the Norwell PTO created its own online hub aimed at educating families about the override’s impact on education. The “Save Our Schools” site, located at https://www.vinalpto.com/save-our-schools, outlines anticipated cuts to teachers, staff, programs, and student support services should the override fail.

What Happens If the Override Fails?

The meeting included detailed department-by-department “impact statements,” outlining service reductions that would be triggered if the override is not approved.

Education Cuts:

The Norwell Public Schools would be required to cut $2.48 million, reverting to its current year’s funding level. Superintendent Dr. Matthew Keegan said the cuts would result in the elimination of 24 staff positions, including teachers, literacy specialists, building-based aides, and school librarians.

Also on the chopping block: nine freshman and six JV athletic teams, secretarial positions, special education supports, and school supplies typically provided to students. Technology updates at the high school and elementary level would also be canceled, impacting classroom devices and MCAS compatibility.

At the high school alone, anticipated reductions include a phys ed teacher, a technology teacher, an English teacher, a world language teacher, a math tutor, and a bridge room staff member.

“We will have the exact same budget between last year and this year,” said Keegan. “So the full $2,480,481 we're asking for will need to be cut.”

Public Safety Cuts:

Norwell Police Chief Ed Lee presented several scenarios, each requiring deep cuts to staffing or operational capacity. One likely outcome: the closure of the police station to the public after 4 p.m. and on weekends, with administrative clerks eliminated outside weekday hours.

“There are situations where you could have... someone gets into the station and then someone follows ’em in and there's no one there to alert the troops right away,” said Lee, warning of public safety concerns tied to the station going “dark.”

Other proposed scenarios involved:

* Eliminating three police officer positions, which would affect patrols and force detectives and school resource officers back onto regular shifts.

* Removing crossing guards at the Cole School.

* Canceling the purchase of two new cruisers, increasing long-term costs due to aging fleet maintenance.

Lee noted that no scenario is finalized and said the department will “come out with the best scenario that we can work with,” depending on the final override outcome.

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