How A Community Should Work

To the Editor:

The Newtown Board of Education recently convened an ad hoc committee of bus drivers, district staff members, one parent, and one BOE member to resolve some of the bus overcrowding issues that have occurred since final budget cuts affected bus inventory. As the attending BOE member, who knew money was not an option to solve the problem this year, I was delighted to see that all parties came to the table ready to listen to each other. Committee members were unaware of certain aspects of the issue until they sat together and discussed them. Eyes were opened around the table, and several viable short-term solutions are now being investigated. The group meets again next week.

This is how a community should work together. This issue started with a tough budget decision, was followed by the intelligent questioning and research of a local parent, and now is being resolved by pulling all relevant parties together in one room. This is why I wanted to serve on the BOE. I knew Newtown parents working together with district staff could find new ways to solve old problems. This committee gives parents and staff members the chance to listen to each other, and fix things together. I am looking forward to our next meeting, and the solutions we will provide the children of Newtown.

Sincerely,

Lillian D. Bittman

Newtown Board of Education

Democratic Board of Education Candidate

17 Rose Lane, Sandy Hook                                     October 17, 2007