To the editor:
Making Marblehead more accessible for young families is one of the many reasons for investing in and diversifying our town’s housing stock. More housing means more economic activity and resulting revenues from a broader base of people, and, therefore, less pressure on funding and more opportunities to invest in public goods like our schools.
The debate over 3A zoning in Marblehead has sparked significant concern, particularly regarding its potential impact on public education. Opponents argue that new housing construction will lead to increased school enrollment, further stretching limited resources. However, this argument rests on several unproven assumptions and overlooks critical data.
Recent research from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council shows that there is no direct correlation between housing construction and increased school enrollment. This is due to a statewide decline in the under-18 population, which fell by nearly 17% between 2010 and 2020. Our declining school age population across the state means that housing production is no longer a predictor of increased school enrollment.
Communities like Hopkinton and Lexington have increased their housing stock and resulting revenue collections while maintaining their statuses as top school districts in the commonwealth. Marblehead, by contrast, has lagged in its utilization of new growth taxation, which may partially explain our ongoing struggles with school funding.
The potential benefits of 3A zoning, including a broader tax base and the stabilization of declining school enrollment, should be carefully weighed against the largely speculative concerns about schools being too full. It’s time for Marblehead to consider how controlled growth could actually enhance, rather than hinder, our education system.
To learn more about the relationship between 3A zoning and school funding, visit our website: https://www.marbleheadhousingcoalition.com/post/3a-zoning-and-our-schools.
Brian Rooney
Pilgrim Road
