How Stupid

Do They Think We Are?

To the Editor:

I can’t believe that I have this straight. The Board of Ed (the same one that cried that the cuts were too deep and teachers and programs were going to be cut irreparably) gave administration increases, stipends, car allowances, and an annuity to individuals that wanted to forfeit them for the good of our educational system. The Board of Ed is going to spend almost $85,000 more than they have to for garbage removal. The only teachers cut (thank God) were ones going due to enrollment levels and they were going no matter what. They did have the wisdom to cut $50,000 from technology to help pay for the increases? I don’t know what will be cut to pay for the garbage.

How stupid do they think we are? If the administration really were willing to forfeit their increases and perks as the voters were led to believe, they could always donate the money back and restore our technology budget. How can we believe the BOE next year when they propose a “bare bones” budget?

I hope the BOE does a lot better spending the rest of our tax dollars; 70 cents out of every dollar goes to be spent at their discretion. I think we need to look at who is spending this money. There have been outcries of transparency from the citizens of Newtown. I would like the BOE to use the lecture hall at the high school for their meetings (as the Legislative Council and Board of Finance did during the budget meetings). I would like them all to be televised so we can see who is wasting our tax dollars. I think the public has a right to the truth and to see for themselves.

We will not be led down the same path next year and we will not take anything at face value.

Sincerely,

Frank Scalzo

175 Mt Pleasant Road, Newtown                                      July 3, 2009