Questions About School Finances

To the Editor:

I was interested in last week’s news coverage and the letters to the editor regarding the proposed school budget. Some individuals found the school budget reductions unacceptable and others found the finance board questions unacceptable. What I find disturbing is an unquestioning acceptance of the academic changes to the school curriculum and the glaring mismanagement of school funds. As a taxpayer, I, as well as others, would like the answers to the following questions:

1. Why are the taxpayers burdened with the financial responsibility for the Reed Intermediate School oil spill and cleanup? Why wasn’t insurance in place to cover the costs? If the oil tank or placement was faulty, why aren’t the original building contractors liable? Why isn’t it clear who is really at fault and why are the students and academic programs being penalized for this mess?

2. How is it possible that the school budget in the past three years has increased substantially by millions of dollars to become 70 percent of the town’s total budget, and the once exceptional Newtown school curriculum that was previously in place has been streamlined toward mediocrity? During these budget increases I have witnessed the cancellation of the fourth grade orchestra program in the elementary schools, the abolishment of the Discovery program, the shattering of the high school choral and drama programs, and the closing of the experiential program at the Alternative school — just to name a few.

3. Also, if the school budget has been frozen since the oil spill, how is it possible to pay Sabrina Post’s salary during her administrative leave and still find funds for the salaries of the three or four individuals that replaced her? (I lost count on the number of support people hired to cover her duties). It has also been over seven weeks since her sudden removal without a clear reason why. Has not a possible litigious situation been carelessly created?

The administrative manipulation of previous excellent academic programs and instructors in the Newtown school system and the questionable administrative handling of funds outside academic areas compounded with the continual requests for exorbitant increases to the school budget to “improve the quality of education” is contradictory and extremely disconcerting. While I am a strong advocate of education, these actions by the superintendent and Board of Education, and the unquestioned acceptance of their requests by some, strain the credibility and comprehension of this taxpayer.

Sincerely,

Phyllis Braun

58 Boggs Hill Road, Newtown                                    March 21, 2005