How would you fill the $700,000 deficit the Arlington public schools face?

On Monday, Feb. 12, an unscientific poll was posted that asked “How would you fill the $700,000 deficit the Arlington public schools face?”

Respondents were asked to choose their top option only.

By Sunday afternoon, Feb. 25, when the poll was removed, 212 had voted.

The options and number of votes were:

Seek other ways to pay for public education than the real estate tax: 44 or 20.8%

Urge the state to provide more aid: 39 or 18.4%

Urge the Finance Committee to change the formula under which town and school aid is split: 35 or 16.5%

Regionalize: form compacts with other communities to share costs: 31 or 14.6%

Pay higher taxes via an override: 18 or 8.5%

Eliminate special education: 12 or 5.7%

Encourage reduction of school administrative staff: 11 or 5.2%

Pay higher fees: 10 or 4.7%

Educate all children at home or in private and parochial schools: 6 or 2.8%

Reduce the number of teachers in favor of larger classes: 6 or 2.8%

A number of people contacted this site's publisher to say they objected to the inclusion of options eliminating special education and educating all students at home or in private and parochial schools. The publisher explained that he does not support these options and know that current law requires special ed and public education.