The Bottom Line…

To the Editor:

Last night I attended, yet again, another Board of Education meeting where the board is now charged with making the devastating cuts to an already lean budget. The public is allowed at two different points of the meeting to comment on items that are near and dear to their hearts, hoping that their pleas will make the difference when the “ax falls.” The public is given two to three minutes to “speak their piece” and I have decided that this is not nearly enough time to send the message that you will read here today. Nor will my addressing the board and administration target the audience that this message is intended for. Even though I sign only my name to this letter, there are many others nodding their heads in agreement as they read this.

Every program that is being discussed as potential victims of the budget cuts is equally vital to the well-being of the students in the Newtown School System. That is why the administration and the Board of Education, along with a supportive parent contingency, urged, cajoled, and pleaded with the parents to exercise their right to support their town and education system and vote. As I sit through numerous Legislative Council, Finance and Board of Education meeting year after year, I am continuously amazed at the number of parents who come out to speak to their “special interest” during budget time and yet I rarely see those faces at the voting polls nor are their names crossed off on the voter registration list at the polls. Yes, folks, your voting record is public knowledge! Not what you voted, but that you voted! My proposition is: if you don’t vote in the town election, you have no right to speak up after the fact! There are no excuses for not voting and you know it! If the senior citizens, many who do not drive, care enough to make arrangements to make sure their vote is cast, please…

The Board of Education does not want to cut any programs or services that the school system currently provides. The voters or lack of, have forced their hands. Don’t blame them or the senior citizens when the programs are cut, they voted. The bottom line is, there are close to 15,000 registered voters in this town, over 10,000 parents and only 2,700+ voted Yes on that budget. What apathy, what a shame! But more importantly, how devastating for our students. The 12th wealthiest community in Connecticut and we are cutting close to $1.4 million from our children’s education and our society’s future. We’ll be trying to recoup that loss for years to come.

And for those of you who believe there is “fat” in the budget, I invite you to sit in on a class of mine, or one of my children’s, be in awe of the students’ participation in a Discovery class or the progress that is made by a special needs student in a one-on-one setting. Please feel free to attend a staff meeting where we’re agonizing over where our resources will be more effectively utilized or a Board of Education meeting during the school year and learn about the state and federal mandates and you will become inspired and informed. If you still feel the need to vote No, at least the decision will be an informed one.

Before you attend another Board of Education meeting and stand up and plead your cause, make sure your head is held high, with the knowledge that you voted Yes for all three budgets and you passionately worked for that budget to be passed! The bottom line is, the Board of Education is not making those cuts, you did!

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Ruddock

14 Equestrian Ridge Road, Newtown                             June 4, 2003