We have collected petition signatures requesting full, accurate and updated information on the number of students that will enroll in the proposed AG/STEM program. This petition also requests a second referendum on the AG/STEM program once the accurate costs, risks and benefits are shared with the public.

A new referendum is required for the following reasons:

A. The forecast of out-region students has declined significantly since the original proposal.

B. The current proposed program will not pay for itself.

C. Substantial financial losses are forecast for the life of the project.

D. The size of the project has decreased significantly.

E. Some original proposed components are being delayed or have been deleted.

This petition has over 180 signatures from the Region 12 towns and is being submitted to you for the requested action. The town clerks in each town have validated these signatures.

As stakeholders in Region 12, it is difficult for taxpayers to understand how the region could move forward without public support for significant tax increases required by the current proposal. You are reminded that almost three years ago, the board measured public support for AG/STEM.

Since then AG/STEM has changed from a project that paid for itself to one that will significantly increase the budget. The voters have recently shown how sensitive they are to additional costs.

Ed Wainwright

Bridgewater

This was also signed by 25 residents of Bridgwater, Roxbury and Washington.