Tracy O’Connell Novick
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tracynovick.bsky.social
Tracy O’Connell Novick
@tracynovick.bsky.social
3K followers 270 following 6.9K posts
Yes, that Tracy Novick
she/her/hers
Education policy and finance
I speak here only for me/ nullius in verba
from the Heart of the Commonwealth
Sometimes random photos of the cat
linktr.ee/TracyNovick
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tracynovick.bsky.social
Damn, @tkingfisher.com, what a first line!
Quote: I had just taken poison when the king arrived to inform me that he had murdered his wife (The opening sentence of) Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher
November 9, 2025 at 2:20 AM
tracynovick.bsky.social
Much stress this night before city elections, and so I share this squirrel, which sat like that to listen to me talk to it on Sunday.
A grey squirrel sits on his hindquarters, looking intently towards the camera with ears forward. It is in a parking lot, and there is a blue car visible behind it.
November 4, 2025 at 3:39 AM
tracynovick.bsky.social
Sharing one of my slides from my “70 minutes on chapter 70” presentation because EASILY one of the most misunderstood things is the relationship of the Prop 2 1/2 cap.

Local required contribution to schools changes by the DoR measured local revenue growth, which includes MORE than that 2.5%
Municipal Revenue Growth Factor (MRGF) Raises or lowers the local contribution from last year’s required contribution by the actual changes in: • State-imposed levy limit of 2.5% • New growth • State aid • Prior year local receipts Not only 2.5%
October 31, 2025 at 2:46 AM
tracynovick.bsky.social
I very much hope that if you are a New Hampshire hiker, you have already been made aware of this, but in case:

Here is what Cannon Mountain’s summit looked like this afternoon.

If you’re hiking the Whites, be sure you’re a winter White Mountain hiker and are prepared.
A snowy wonderland of coniferous trees on both sides of a narrow trail, with solid clouds in the background.
October 26, 2025 at 10:50 PM
tracynovick.bsky.social
Here’s a bonus one: wedding of two lovely people today, and here is the church bell ringing for it
October 25, 2025 at 4:16 PM
tracynovick.bsky.social
Harry stretches a greeting this morning
A cat, laying on its side, looks over its shoulder at the camera. He is a white cat with grey tabby markings. He is on a bed with books and a teddy bear visible against green walls in the background.
October 25, 2025 at 1:18 PM
tracynovick.bsky.social
@betteridgeslaw.bsky.social got one for you from today’s Boston Globe
Bill Belichick keeps losing at UNC. Is he becoming a tragic Shakespearean figure?
October 22, 2025 at 9:34 AM
tracynovick.bsky.social
While it doesn’t have the second story, the grandeur of the Fort Worth Post Office reminded me of Terry Pratchett’s “Going Postal”

“You had to see it.”

#IYKYK
A long grand marble space with a fancy coffered (I think is the word? It looks like boxes) ceiling
October 20, 2025 at 8:35 PM
tracynovick.bsky.social
Reader, I laughed.
Kindle quote box: “They live in Wellesley, Massachusetts,” he says, as though that explains everything. “Ah,” says Nicola, because maybe, in fact, it does. Meg Mitchell Moore Mansion Beach: A Novel
October 20, 2025 at 2:59 PM
tracynovick.bsky.social
One thing I love about Denise is that she is untiring in calling out that her hometown receives the second largest amount of hold harmless in the state, and she knows their district budget is now built on that expectation.

#MAEdu
October 16, 2025 at 11:12 AM
tracynovick.bsky.social
UPDATED FROM THE TRAIN!
October 16, 2025 at 11:08 AM
tracynovick.bsky.social
#mapoli

who-cester.blogspot.com/2025/10/dear...
Dearest Legislators, It has come to my attention that you plan to override Governor Healey's July veto of nearly $20M in charter school tuition reimbursement. As this represents millions of dollars to some of the most needy districts in the state1, this is very helpful. Thank you! Many of you are no doubt under the impression that this money goes, as is intended by state law, to the school districts themselves. This is, however, is the case only for regional school districts. For municipal school districts, because charter school tuition reimbursement isn't designated as going to schools "without additional appropriation," the money goes to the city or town general fund. Cities and towns have long since passed their budgets. Unless someone takes additional action, these funds you intend for schools will not go to schools. Were it possible for you to pass these funds with language so designating them, that would be most useful. If not, perhaps you could ensure that the Department of Revenue generates updated cherry sheets, and you could ensure the cities and towns in your districts are aware of where the money should go? With very sincere thanks, Someone who wants to ensure the Worcester Public Schools gets their $2M
October 8, 2025 at 2:14 AM
tracynovick.bsky.social
Anyway, good morning from State Street in Boston
Photo is of a city street, shooting up along the street. There are taller buildings, largely brick, on both sides and at the end of the street. Just in front of the end of the street, a smaller brick building with a white cupola and other white trim is visible. The smaller building is the Old Massachusetts State House. Just in front of it, the Boston Massacre is memorialized.
October 6, 2025 at 11:39 AM
tracynovick.bsky.social
I have fulfilled my autumnal regional obligation to buy mums for the porch
The front small porch of a brown house has a widen rocking chair next to a window and the door (interior door is open; exterior glass door is wood-framed). The step up to the porch is a large flat rock, on which sits a mustard flowering mum in a pot. Above it, next to the rocking chair, is another potted mum, this one rusty red. The quip is that New Englanders buy mums by the dozen this time of year.
October 6, 2025 at 12:20 AM
tracynovick.bsky.social
I haven’t offered #ProofofCat in awhile, so here is Harry with @ztameez.bsky.social’s biography of Charles Sumner it appears we are both enjoying, in our way
A grey and white tabby cat rests his head against the open pages of a book. His eyes are closed.
October 4, 2025 at 4:11 AM
tracynovick.bsky.social
The article is paywalled, but even the headline tells the story, especially when you know the staff put them back up.

www.oklahoman.com/story/news/e...
Ryan Walters took down portraits of Hall of Fame teachers at OSDE. Now they're going back up Murray Evans The Oklahoman
October 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
tracynovick.bsky.social
Sounds like a good opening for one of those cozy coastal mysteries
Newspaper excerpt: WORLD Octopuses invade the English coast Across England’s southern coast, fishing crews reported an extraordinary boom in octopus catches this summer Continue reading
September 30, 2025 at 9:27 AM
tracynovick.bsky.social
I got to see horses in my travels today, so sharing:
The faces of two brown horses are visible through side by side open windows in the side of a white trailer
September 26, 2025 at 2:15 AM
tracynovick.bsky.social
Or...stay with me here, K-12 Dive:

Schools could have their students NOT USE THEM AT ALL!
(headline) AI ‘companions’ pose risks to student mental health. What can schools do? As experts warn about the prevalence of AI companions among children and teens, schools can help their students use AI tools in alternative, safer ways.
September 25, 2025 at 8:17 PM
tracynovick.bsky.social
This sheep wants to know why you haven’t gone to the Big E (the Eastern States Exposition, which is the New England states fair) yet!
A curly flocked sheep looks with cocked head at the camera. Another sheep behind it browses the hay bales to the right of them both, just coming through a white rail fence. They are standing in straw
September 22, 2025 at 1:17 AM
tracynovick.bsky.social
Dang it, I get an error message when I try to post video.

Try at least a photo (look closely!):
The leafy edge of a river has, in the water, the brown fuzzy head of a beaver, floating at ease while enjoying a snack
September 20, 2025 at 12:03 AM
tracynovick.bsky.social
This was the assignment (they were divided into Shrewsbury and Holyoke: IYKYK)
Your challenge Your finance office has projected that all accounts will go up by 3% for next year from the current year’s spending Tuition will go up by 12% next year You are required to pass a balanced budget (you cannot spend more than you have) You have the FY23 numbers in front of you. How much will you allocate to each account to have a balanced budget?
September 13, 2025 at 12:27 AM
tracynovick.bsky.social
I give you today’s print edition:
September 11, 2025 at 2:40 PM
tracynovick.bsky.social
NWS Boston postponing 🌪️assessment in Holden
Two tweets from the National Weather Service Boston * Damage Survey Update * Due to inclement weather, we are postponing the damage survey in Holden and Berlin, MA (and nearby areas) until tomorrow. We want to make sure we take the time to assess all of the storm damage to come up with the best conclusion possible. (1/2) There was a radar confirmed tornado in Holden but we need to conduct the survey in order to determine path length, path width, and assign the EF rating (and assess other damage).  We appreciate everyone's patience and will provide updates tomorrow. (2/2)
September 7, 2025 at 12:15 PM
tracynovick.bsky.social
@kellygarrity.bsky.social this last part is incorrect.

The Mayor’s race in Worcester is a separate election in the general; to win, the candidate must win an at-large seat on Council (they don’t need to come in first) and must come in first in the Mayor’s race.
September 3, 2025 at 11:50 AM