Let’s Be Reasonable!

To the Editor:

I have lived in Newtown my entire life, and we have a terrific school system. We also have many terrific teachers. The teachers are a huge part of what makes a great school system. More money does not mean a better education. It’s how you spend the money that counts.

In order to enjoy this great educational system for our children, we have to be able to afford to live here. This has become a struggle for many of us. The senior citizens have to be able to afford to live here, too. We need their tax money as well. If the seniors continue moving because they can’t afford it here, then we are in trouble as a community, financially and socially, and our educational system will suffer immensely.

I am tired of hearing about Legislative Council and Board of Finance members being “anti-education.” That is absolutely false. I know most of them and know that they believe a good education is important for our community. Our seniors believe this also. I know and have spoken to many of them. They do not, as it has been said, begrudge our children a good education. Many are struggling to afford living here. They begrudge what they consider frills that can be paid for privately (by parents) if they can’t be paid for in a reasonable budget.

Fourth grade orchestra, for example, while being a wonderful experience for the students, is by no means a requirement for a great education. My son is in fourth grade. He isn’t “suffering” from not having orchestra. It would have been a great opportunity, but it wasn’t offered, so he doesn’t know any difference. I believe we need to make sure our teachers are being paid competitive salaries so that we can keep them here, and the schools need to be kept in good repair. Beyond that, the “extra” courses and programs should be added on or cut according to what is affordable with an increase on par with the cost of living. The school budget should be handled like a house budget and should not force the town to live above its means.

The $250,000 that is being cut from the proposed budget is a small amount compared with the overall budget. I hope everyone is clear that this amount hasn’t been cut from the school. It isn’t even in the school yet. It would represent less of an increase; $250,000 could mean just two fewer in-service days for the teachers. This would put the in-service days more in line with the surrounding towns. It would be a change that wouldn’t directly effect the students. If the union is so rigid that they wouldn’t give up these days for the sake of not taking more programs from the students, then we have a problem far more serious than the budget.

I have to pay for the continuing education credits required for my career and do them on my own time, as I’m sure many other people do as well. We are not asking that of the teachers. I don’t think this is much to ask for a budget that I feel is far from lean. I know more cuts could be made and still leave us with a great educational system. It worries me to think of the cuts that were being made to the selectman’s budget (such as road repair needs and police cars) to make up for the increased education side of the budget. While some of these cuts have been replaced, they should be a concern to all of us. We need a budget that is balanced and affordable. Regardless of whether you agree with my views or not, please vote on April 27 and let your opinion be counted.

Barbara Bloom

25 Philo Curtis Road, Sandy Hook                                April 21, 2004