Apponequet Students Walk Out After Lakeville Override Fails

Apponequet Students Plan Walkout After Tax Override Vote Fails

Students at Apponequet Regional High School are organizing a walkout in response to a failed tax override vote in the town of Lakeville that will result in sweeping cuts across the Freetown Lakeville Regional School District.

The walkout is planned for around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, following G block, and is being billed as entirely student organized.

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What Cuts Are Coming to the Freetown Lakeville School District?

The override vote, which took place yesterday, did not pass. As a result, the school district is facing significant budget cuts that will impact students, teachers, and staff. Among the most notable losses, every school in the district will be losing its library. Beyond the schools, cuts are also expected at the fire department and police department. Perhaps most staggering is that 56 school department employees across the district will not have a job next year.

Why Are Students Walking Out?

Amber Amaral, a member of the PTO at Freetown Elementary School, called into Fun 107 this morning to share details about the planned protest. She explained that students and parents had been aware of the potential cuts leading up to the vote. Now that the vote has failed, she says students feel this walkout is the only way to make their voices heard and show solidarity with the teachers and staff who are losing their jobs.

What Happens Next for Apponequet Regional High School?

While the vote has already been decided and options are limited, Amaral expressed her pride in the students for making a statement. Fun 107 reached out to Apponequet principal, Kahlan Dessert, but she was unavailable for comment prior to publication.