School officials in Norton are at a loss over how to impress upon the public the severity of cuts facing the system as they prepare next year's budget.

One member recently expressed surprise she had received only one e-mail complaining about the lack of an override attempt this year. The committee is planning a budget hearing, and wants to meet with citizens to better explain the case for more funding.

There is just one problem: Virtually no one wants to listen.

It's sad, but the committee and administration appear to be wasting their time preparing facts, figures and cogent arguments demonstrating the need for more money.

People in Norton are not saying no to increased funding because they don't believe it is needed. They are saying no because they simply refuse to pay any more in taxes. The need and the facts are sadly irrelevant.

It doesn't seem to matter what kind of a case school officials make. They could present an air-tight, rock solid argument proving beyond all shadow of a doubt the wisdom and need for an override, and it would still not likely prevail.

This is not about facts. It is about emotion, money and philosophy.

Already overburdened property taxpayers believe their money is being wasted by the local government. They hear of unnecessary equipment, wasteful spending, corrupt officials, terrible management, and they believe it without reservation. Why, you ask?

Because it makes them feel better about not spending any more money. They can justify ignoring the overwhelming numbers showing the town schools, police and fire departments all in need of additional staffing and funds.

This is not a situation unique to Norton. It exists in cities and towns all across the state. Faced with growing frustration over rising budgets they cannot control, voters are resorting to the Nancy Reagan philosophy.

They "just say no."

There is an old adage in politics that says you should not waste time trying to make your case to those who are never going to support you anyway. While town officials have an obligation to provide information to every citizen, they need to do something in addition to that.

They need to find a way to make people care.

That is not to say Norton voters are uncaring or insensitive. Norton citizens are great people. But like most they are turned off by politics and the constant need for more services, more employees and more money. They also feel vindicated that each time they have turned down an override in the past, the town has somehow survived. The oft-repeated predictions of doom and gloom have not materialized, convincing voters town officials were merely bluffing.

And maybe in some cases they were.

If school officials want to get more funding, they need to energize their base. They need to get the parents of school-age children concerned about what is happening - or could be happening - to the educational system.

Right now there is no great outcry from parents. Sure, a small segment of that population has stepped up in the last several years. Some have worked tirelessly to improve their children's education.

But the vast majority has remained relatively silent. While they might complain, they have not been motivated to do much to solve the situation.

People struggle today just to make ends meet. It is easier for them to believe the stories of incompetent leadership and wasteful spending and just say no, than it is for them to step up and spend more hard-earned money on something not entirely their own.

The question that needs to be answered in Norton and elsewhere is: Do the local financial facts matter, or when it comes to more money is the answer just always going to be no?

You can lead voters to the truth, but making them believe it or care about it is another thing. Throwing numbers and dire predictions at them has not worked in most local communities. They just don't believe.

It may take actually instituting devastating, painful cuts in schools and public safety before voters believe their local officials are not bluffing. That is a gamble the public may discover it really cannot afford.

BILL GOUVEIA is a local columnist, taxpayer and former local official. His column appears every Saturday and he can be reached at aninsidelook@aol.com.