School Expenditures

Are Necessary And Justified

To the Editor:

On April 22 Newtown residents will vote on three important issues — the expansion of Newtown High School, the town’s 2008-2009 operating budget, and several charter revision proposals.

Some who oppose the plan to expand the high school are concerned that the most recent enrollment projections don’t justify a building as large the one designed. However, Newtown High School is already overcrowded and student population is not expected to decline. In addition, both the Newtown Board of Education and State Department of Education will increase graduation requirements to 24 from the current 20, adding to the need for more classroom space. While the expansion of the gym and turfing the football field aren’t academic issues, the entire town benefits from these facilities. I’m convinced that the proposed expansion is justified, and that if the town postpones it, we’ll end up paying more and getting less.

As a new member of the Legislative Council, I’ve discovered that elected officials listen and read more and talk less than most voters realize. Since mid-January I’ve listened to the Board of Selectmen budget hearings and attended most Board of Finance meetings. I’ve heard town and school officials explain the rational for their budget requests during 12 hours of Legislative Council budget meetings. I’ve read all 110 pages of the education budget and 277 pages of the town’s. After this arduous and time-consuming process, members of every Legislative Council subcommittee came to the same conclusion. Newtown’s proposed budget is a responsible one.

Because I’m convinced that the high school expansion is necessary and that the town’s operating budget is justified, I urge you to vote Yes for both on April 22.

Sincerely,

Jan Lee Brookes

Legislative Council, District 3

38 Hundred Acres Road, Newtown                                  April 8, 2008