One Unnecessary Expense

To the Editor:

In response to the article last week on the school board looking for additional saving in order to meet the budget goal [“School Bd Looks For Savings To Meet Budget Goal,” 3/20/09, page 1] I noticed that Dr Robinson is asking for everyone to look at every expense for potential reduction.

One expense I support being removed from the middle school budget is the eighth grade moving up ceremony that is held at the O’Neill Center at WestConn. I will have an eighth grader in the 2009-2010 school year and I do believe the milestone merits recognition. However, I don’t think the rental of the same venue that is used for the high school graduation ceremony is necessary.

This milestone of leaving eighth grade is not equivalent to the milestone of graduating from high school. When, years ago, eighth grade was the last formal year of education, it was appropriate to acknowledge this milestone. However, that is no longer the case. All the students leaving the middle school are expected to move on to high school. In addition, the middle school is now just one of three schools the children attend before high school and they are only in the middle school for two years.

While some children may go to schools other than Newtown High School, I believe that the events held at the end of the school year like middle school awards ceremony held at school, the eighth grade dance and private parties individual families hold can suffice in wrapping up the children’s pre-high school years in the Newtown school system.

The cost of the O’Neill Center may be a nit compared to the entire budget. I could not find the exact amount in the copy of the middle school proposed budget I accessed. However, just like in my home budget, everything needs to be reviewed to decide if the budget item is a need or a want. Celebrating eighth grade moving up in the manner we have in the past is not a need. Let’s use the money for something that is.

Sincerely,

Deb Hoffmann

36 Rock Ridge Road, Newtown                                    March 24, 2009