Truly A Great

Tragedy

To the Editor:

My letter is concerning the budget. With the first referendum I voted Yes because I didn’t want to see any more cut from the education budget. With the second referendum on May 18, I voted No because too much had been cut from the education budget. What should have been presented to the people of Newtown was the choice of having the school budget prior to any cuts and letting us decide then if cuts should be made.

We need to keep the original school budget, prior to any of these cuts. Our school system cannot afford to lose so many teachers and our students need the after school activities that have been provided. I grew up in Newtown and am a product of its school system. My sisters, brothers and myself, and now my children, are better for the teachers and education we have received and especially for the after school activities that we were involved in. By the school budget being cut so much and so drastically, we are doing a great disserve to our children.

I went to the jazz night at the high school last week, even though I do not have a child in the program, and witnessed some truly amazing students playing their hearts out and sounding so wonderful! By these drastic budget cuts, these programs would disappear. That is truly a great tragedy. Please review all the budget info again and present to the people of Newtown the original school budget prior to any cuts in programs and teachers and let us, the parents of Newtown decide what is best for our children. We were not given the choice before cuts were made; give us the choice now to have the program and school system that we want and need.

Terry Scalora

34 Mountain View Drive, Newtown                                May 19, 2010