To the Editor:

When it comes to our children and the educational foundation that helps shape their development, I believe parents are the ultimate stakeholders and must be included through public process. Their future and that of our broader society is shaped, not just in our homes but, for most families, in our schools.

Parents should be welcome to engage and participate in curricular decisions and policy-making. After all, isn’t it their tax dollars that make public schools possible? In no small measure, many choose to live and raise families in Newtown for its historically high quality schools and supportive, engaged community. It’s been a source of pride.

Many Newtown parents accustomed to engaging through Board of Education meetings, PTA and Nighthawk athletics are seeing and feeling curriculum and policy changes. “Take it or leave it” mandates. More alarming are recent limits to public participation and undercurrents that parents may no longer be the ultimate educational stakeholders. Instead, "Education Experts” insist they know best and parental input has become limited, as are the very topics permitted at public participation.

This newfound authoritarianism isn’t playing well. Many parents feel their welcome is worn-out, replaced by "top-down initiatives".

If you agree education is a collaborative process and parents must be welcomed participants, your opportunity to affect positive BOE change is coming on November 2 or, by absentee ballot, when you can vote for candidates committed to listening and including all Newtown education-parents.

I’m excited to vote for Don Ramsey, Jenn Larkin and Janet Kuzma for a better BOE!

IT'S IMPORTANT!

Listening to your voice and feeling welcome again matters. You are your kids’ primary educational stakeholder. Please join me. Vote Line 'B'.

Note: I serve as Newtown’s State Representative in the 106th House District but, the opinions and endorsements above are my own personal observations.

Best Regards,

State Representative Mitch Bolinsky

Newtown