Some Finance Board Questions

Were Offensive

To the Editor:

How much authority should the Board of Finance have to question the Board of Education’s proposed budget? This is the question that I asked myself as I attended the budget meeting Monday night, and listened to the line of inquiry directed at the superintendent and the chair of the Board of Education.

Why are Italian classes offered in the high school? asked one Board of Finance member, who stated that he thought it was a strange choice. He then asked to be given statistics on the number of students enrolled in Italian. After this was given, and he was offered the same for Latin, the board member responded, “Well, I like Latin.” Aside from the fact that there are quite a few citizens of Italian descent in Newtown, is it really appropriate for someone without an educational background to be examining this aspect of our system?

Also questioned was a proposed addition of a psychologist to the high school staff, despite a Board of Finance member’s assertion that a guidance counselor is more needed. Considering the many emotional challenges that our teenaged students face, do we want to go by his opinion, or by those of people who see what goes on in the high school on a regular basis?

Evan Pitkoff also fielded a suggestion by the Board of Finance to require gifted students to “pay-to-play” for the enrichment program. This is an outrageous idea, considering that, as Mr Pitkoff stated, this is an academic program. After all, would we charge children with learning disabilities for the extra attention that they receive in the classroom?

I understand that the Board of Finance faces difficult challenges, trying to keep the town’s costs low, and I respect the job they do. I will also add that there were fair and legitimate questions asked of the Board of Education. However, I found many of their questions offensive. As Evan Pitkoff stated, the Board of Education presented a lean, responsible budget. Let us examine whether they deserve to be questioned so extensively on their area of expertise, by a board whose main function is examining the financial bottom line.

Sincerely,

Miranda Pacchiana

Sandy Hook, March 14, 2005