When voters go to the polls on June 14, they'll determine whether to invest in the entire community.

That was the sentiment of parents teacher groups from the town's schools who advised Belmont School Committee members at a budget forum Monday night, May 10.

It is now time, said the parents, to get the word out that approving the $2 million override this Flag Day means more than simply increasing funding to the schools, said the groups. It is about maintaining the vitality of all of Belmont: its home values, quality of life and the future.

"Investing resources to protect our greatest asset — our children and our future – is the smart, prudent thing to do," said School Committee Chairman Ann Rittenburg.

"This override is about investing in the quality of our entire community," she said.

The fiscal year 2011 proposed school budget is not about "wants" but, rather, about needs and how they'll be met, Superintendent Dr. George Entwistle told the meeting.

The $41 million budget – with 19 percent going to administrative costs and 81percent going to student-centered services – still has a gap of $2.8 million in available funds, he said.

"The gap is way too big and we can't save ourselves out of it," said Entwistle

It's important for voters to realize this is not just a school override, said many who attended the forum, he said. For more specifics on exactly how the money will be spent if the override passes, there are avenues for additional information such as www.onebelmont.org which details why an override is needed.

The School Department and School Committee have continued to look at improved efficiencies and responsible allocation of resources, said Entwistle, including conducting return on investment reviews, taking stands to expand collaborative and instituting teacher learning teams for professional development.

Despite that, the schools still needs additional revenue to achieve the goals set out for meeting the needs of all learners, committee members said.

Should the override pass, the schools will receive $1 million while the town receives $400,000 and $600,000 will go into the capital budget.

The additional $1 million for the schools will restore a number of student-centered needs including library programs at all the elementary schools, a middle school MCAS support teacher and a technology education teacher, a director of the Social Studies program, an elementary psychologist, and a cross-country team and freshman sports program

Even with the extra money from the override, Entwistle said, the school budget will be under funded by $1.1 million.

John Bowe of Precinct 6 said those attending the forum are already advocates of the schools and wanted to know what they should tell their neighbors in order to convince them to vote for the override.

"This is a stake in the ground," said Entwistle in reference to the proposed student-needs budget.

"It's not about wants. The gap between it and not having an override will mean we can't achieve our goals," he added.

The schools are not asking for the entire amount of the override, said Bowe.

"The money (if the override passes) is less than 50 percent of the gap," he said.