To the Editor:

There needs to be scrutiny of the BOE budget and a focus on reading. Why does the Newtown school’s website have outdated information? What is the current outcome of the 2018 Self Study that cost 10K? Were more reading specialists hired? How many reading specialists are in each school? Public Law 115-391 (First Step Act of 2018) and state law mandate screening for dyslexia. How is this done? Is every child K-3 screened — a time when remediation is most effective and less costly? The entire State of Missouri uses the dyslexia screen developed at Yale. Does Newtown use the research that was literally done in its own backyard and remains ongoing (CT Longitudinal Study). Is the BOE really OK with 65-69% reading proficiency even though obtaining a GED diploma now requires 10th grade reading skills? How much money is spent on social-emotional learning and DEI vs reading curriculum and teacher training to implement reading curriculum?

Diane Swonk (famous economist, advisor to the Federal Reserve Board, highly successful dyslexic) states “the issue in education that I’m very involved in is human capital. Specifically I’ve given congressional testimony on income irregularities and economic mobility. The ignorance and lack of action on dyslexia is a major reason why there isn’t economic mobility.”

Lost economic mobility means lost tax revenue. Much work has been done to increase Newtown tax revenue. Not holding the BOE accountable for its spending endangers this revenue and puts a chokehold on local economy.

Anne Miklus

Sandy Hook