To the Editor:

“Listen to the sounds that make the music” puts things in perspective to better understand what is relevant as you think about your referendum vote. Are you thinking about your needs going forward as taxes increase? Few individuals in town want to address your situation. Are we willing to hear their same tunes? In the last referendum vote, an additional 420 Yes votes approved the spending of over $76 million of your tax dollars. That Yes vote represented about five percent of Newtown’s voters. It will happen again if you stay home on April 23.

Steve Hinden’s letter (Newtown Bee, 4/12) attempted to make convincing arguments to get residents to support the additional two million spending. There was a more convincing explanation in the J. Kearney letter (Newtown Bee, 4/12) that explained the real impact a recurring two percent spending had on Newtown taxpayers. Then consider we are faced with additional taxes to cover Hartford’s mounting pension liabilities.

I organized two “Town Conversation” meetings with members from Finance, Legislative, and Selectman boards, hoping to create a dialogue. I thought using this “new platform” that some collaborative thinking could be achieved. I was concerned about the proposed spending of $165,000 for a Director of Teaching and Learning. The leadership group failed to question the new position. One has to wonder why none of our elected officials would seek to question a proposal demanding a high salary with benefits and pension generating a possible $200,000 budget increase. Why hasn’t anyone researched the job descriptions of other school directors?

I decided to do so after reading this proposal that I believe falls short compared to the goals/responsibilities of other school directors. If one elected official had done so, they would have realized that it lacks pedagogical justification. Why is there now a need for a director “to implement the curriculum” when the current assistant superintendent has accomplished this for years? This is overlooked when you hear the Superintendent’s observation that “we need to lessen the administrative workload.” One wonders why a highly paid superintendent, an assistant superintendent, and other administrators seem overwhelmed, finding it difficult in getting things done even though they have 1,400 less students in the school system? In their desperation, we read a recent Newtown Bee editorial asking residents to subsidize the new position with an additional daily 20 cents (two dimes) donation? Do these explanations justify spending more tax money? Finally, taxpayers have to wonder if elected representatives have forgotten their fiscal responsibility to act in the interests of residents who pay increased taxes but have no school children?

It is realistic to assume that this annual two percent spending increase will continue. Many residents are convinced the only alternative is move out of Newtown because they keep hearing the same tune... “This is an expensive town to live in.”

I strongly suggest taxpayers plan with friends to vote on April 23 or request absentee ballots. Isn’t it time to let them hear our sounds with a different tune?

Dr Rudy Magnan

60 Watkins Drive, Sandy Hook         April 17, 2019