Democrats Hear Call For Additional School Spending, If Justified

By John Voket

Gary Fetzer and Joseph Hemingway, the Democratic contenders for the town’s two top offices, recognize that the education component of Newtown’s taxpayer burden is approximately 70 percent of the total annual budget.

And while there is the understanding that the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education are separate, the Fetzer/Hemingway team outlined in an October 14 position paper that strengthening that relationship can benefit the entire town.

“One of the most important factors for a new homeowner in choosing a community is the character and quality of the school system,” the pair state in the position paper, adding that an exceptional school system translates into higher real estate values, and an educated and well-trained work force.

While campaigning, Mr Fetzer and Mr Hemingway say they have heard from many residents who are expressing strong support for schools, but who lack evidence to determine if their taxes are helping the town accomplish its educational goals.

“Many have even encouraged additional spending so long as specific goals were set and achieved,” the Democratic position statement reads. “The Board of Selectmen would work with the Board of Education to create a method that would allow the public to understand how to measure success in Newtown’s educational system. The residents are interested in holding all of their public officials accountable, but the first step is to define exactly what that means and the specific goals.”

Without telegraphing what level of involvement the Democratic leaders would take if elected, the Fetzer/Hemingway team recognized that the first selectman is an ex-officio member of the Board of Education. And despite not having the right to vote, by actively participating on the board, the first selectman could bring additional ideas to the table, and identify areas where cost savings might be achieved through closer cooperation with the town.

“He would also be able to provide another vehicle by which to disseminate information to the community while serving as conduit to relay ideas from the community back to the Board of Education,” the Democrats’ release states.

The Democratic candidates also appear to favor convening regular meetings between representatives of each of Newtown’s boards and commissions, to allow the Board of Education to develop closer relationships with others whose actions might affect them, as well as obtaining a better idea of some of the constraints and issues facing the residents.

The paper also reaffirmed an earlier position about tapping residents who would like to volunteer using their area of expertise, but who might not have the time to join a board or commission. If elected, Mr Fetzer said he intends to make a database of those individuals available to the Board of Education to help them staff study committees considering specific projects or concerns

“Team Newtown also continues to promote creating a municipal volunteer core that can help on specific projects such as painting or building a playground,” the Democrats’ release states. “In the past volunteers have painted the hallways of a school and an active municipal volunteer program can also benefit the town’s educational system.”