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Credit Agency Warns Charter School Vote Could Hurt Bond Ratings

     A Wall Street agency warns the credit-worthiness of Massachusetts cities could be affected if voters approve a ballot question to lift the cap on new charter schools in the state.

     Moody’s Investor Services said a “yes” on Question 2 would be “credit negative” for Springfield, Boston, Lawrence, and Fall River, according to the emails of a Moody’s vice president obtained by the Boston Globe.

    Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, who opposes Question 2, said the conclusion by Moody’s is worrisome.

      "This is something we are well aware of. There is a definite affect if ( Question) 2 were to pass," said Sarno.

    The two sides in the contentious debate over Question 2 have argued fiercely over the financial impact of adding charter schools.  Opponents say charter schools drain money from local school systems. Proponents insist that is not the case.

The record-setting tenure of Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. The 2011 tornado and its recovery that remade the largest city in Western Massachusetts. The fallout from the deadly COVID outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers Home. Those are just a few of the thousands and thousands of stories WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill has covered for WAMC in his nearly 17 years with the station.