To the Editor:

To say this last referendum/budget vote was dismal would be an understatement. That so few residents bothered to go vote means we get what the most ardent supporters or detractors voted for or against on our behalf. Nevertheless, unlike the endless national focus on “stolen elections,” this was plain and simple a tallied vote that went against my own personal wishes. And I can’t complain or ask for a redo until I get what I want. We just have to find a way forward to get a BOE budget in place.

I’d like to put forward information that comes from a fairly recent article in the CT Examiner; visit ctexaminer.com and search for the January 22 story “Darien Debates Escalating Special Education Burden and Costs for Public Schools.”

Darien’s burden of cost has escalated exponentially due to special education cost increases. And as you read through it’s also happening in many other towns, with some increases in the double digits. Factors beyond services include higher health insurance costs, expiration of COVID funds, and negotiated contractual obligations. However, in regard to Darien the biggest budget item is special education services, accounting for over 24% of the total budget.

This is a nonnegotiable budget item, one that is guaranteed under the IDEA Act. As special education needs are escalating nationwide, requiring a one on one paraprofessional for example, or outplacing to an educational institution more equipped to address the needs of a student, you can see how this is impacting the total budget in towns across Fairfield County, the state, and the country.

As a Newtown resident who has had the good fortune of a solid education for our two children, I feel it’s incumbent upon me to pay it forward to those students coming through the system now. I don’t know how we fix all the problems, but it would be far easier on towns if the IDEA mandates didn’t fall so disproportionately on the taxpayers.

Of course we can’t have every single item on our educational wish list, but I would hate to see the arts and libraries suffer. Or any of the curriculum that offers a robust learning environment for our students. I, for one, don’t mind paying an increase of what amounts to less than a dollar a day, if it means keeping our educational system at a high-quality level. After all, the education system was the reason we moved here in 1987 and why so many family and friends choose to remain in town. Let’s get out and vote for this budget next time!

Sincerely,

Geraldine Carley

Newtown