Explore The Alternatives

To the Editor:

It is naïve to think that the Wall Street fiasco does not directly affect our town. The Board of Education based the need for the high school expansion on studies which predict a larger high school population for the 2009-2010 school year. However, those studies were taken prior to the fall of Lehman Brothers, Washington Mutual, Merrill Lynch, etc. Houses are not selling in Newtown as they did; companies are not transferring their employees; we see several new houses that are standing empty for the second year. We do not know how many foreclosures there will be in town; how many families will be forced to leave. We do know that this economic climate will affect every town in America.

The high school expansion project is already coming in at $6 million over budget and a spade is yet to hit the ground. According to page A8 of The Bee [9/26/08], we may see another 15 percent in over budget costs. These costs would be a result of new certification requirements and upgrades; the Board of Education is hoping that Newtown would be able to apply for and receive a waiver for these requirements. The Town of Newtown is also counting on a 32 percent reimbursement from the state. Today Gov Rell reported that the projected deficit is greater than $300 million. The state may not be able to give us reimbursement for the high school expansion project. What about the bond market? The project is to be funded by bonds; many Connecticut towns have postponed their projects until the bond market settles. If we do get a good bond rate, are we able to float yet another bond and make the payments within this unsure economy?

We must ask ourselves many questions. What lessons are we teaching our children when we undertake a project which is funded on “maybes” or “we should be able to”? There is nothing concrete in the funding plan other than to raise taxes. Gov Rell has set the tone. Our leaders must always be fiscally responsible; now is the time to stop this project; reassess the need and then explore the alternatives.       

Maria Barresi

14 Chimney Swift Drive Sandy Hook                September 26, 2008