What More Cuts Would Mean

To the Editor:

As our town leaders and citizens consider a third round of budget cuts, we should all take some time to truly understand what even more cuts will mean to the quality of education in Newtown. Additional cuts will impact the education as delivered to students in the classroom.

Currently, we have what is called “differentiated learning” in our elementary, intermediate, and middle schools. This means that each class includes students at all levels of learning abilities. For students to learn, teachers must teach to each student. Small class size is key.

Classrooms that use the differentiated learning approach teach students to understand and appreciate persons who are different than themselves. If we cut teachers in these grades, classes may well become too large for the teachers to teach to the student. Instead, teachers will teach to the material. For students to learn, classes will have to be grouped according to ability, with “low,” “average,” and (potentially) “high” classes. When I went to school, we had a “special” class. The students in this class were treated harshly by the others. Do we want to go back to such a system and the stigmas associated with it? As for the high school, all I can say is that things are pretty poor now. Students are having extra study halls because of a lack of electives. Freshmen are already not allowed to take upper-level courses because of a shortage of teachers, even when there are no suitable electives. Further reductions in teachers will only worsen an already difficult situation.

In addition to harming the level of education in the classroom, I’m concerned that further reductions will cause a huge division in our town between the “haves” and the “have-nots.” Wealthier families will be able to afford steep pay-for-play fees. Families with moderate incomes will not. Some may say that all sports and activities should be cut, and then both the “haves” and “have-nots” will be in the same boat. However, though my children do not participate in sports or activities, I strongly feel that these programs are an important way to motivate students to learn more, and to teach them how to treat their fellow students (and eventually fellow citizens). Also, activities provide those with modest incomes the ability to move into areas that are not traditionally open to them, like professional music and government. To blindly remove all of these programs means that the schools are producing lower-quality citizens, some of who now have fewer opportunities than others, even those with lesser talent.

The second proposed budget already impacted classroom education and the ability of those with lower incomes to participate in sports and activities –– the third round of cuts even more so. These are difficult times and so we have to do things that we find extremely painful. However, cutting more will decimate our schools. Help stop the cuts. Support the proposed budget and help prepare for next year’s. Let’s join together and work with town and school officials to address problems and improve life for all our citizens. 

Deborra Zukowski

4 Cornfield Ridge Road, Newtown                                May 16, 2003