To the Editor:

The referendum vote on April 23rd indicates that many citizens of Newtown agree with my sentiments about the Board of Education budget. The increase for the Board of Education budget request was larger this year over last year, 4.41% vs 3.38%. While the 2023-2024 budget was being developed, inflation was nearly twice as high. The 2023-2024 budget absorbed over $750K previously provided by COVID Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grants, to continue needed-COVID education services. Some have offered that the reason for the added increase was that the Legislative Council removed $550K from the BoE’s initially requested 2023-2024 budget, suggesting that the BoE use some of its unspent funds instead, artificially reducing the budget. That does not account for the added increase this year.

This referendum proposed the highest tax increase in the last 15 years, costing the average Newtown resident an additional $600 to $800 more in taxes. School enrollment is down approximately 1,500 students in the last several years, while spending is up over $10M during this same time period.

I fully support funding that is needed for high quality education. I just don’t understand how we accomplished so much more last year with less of an increase. I believe that the children of our community have the right to a good education, one that will provide them with the necessary life skills to be good, successful citizens.

Tiffany Hawley

Newtown