Two Steps Back

To the Editor:

It was with extreme disappointment we learned that Board of Selectmen Herb Rosenthal and Paul Mangiafico voted not to approve the funding resolution for the high school expansion project, even after the Legislative Council had acted to approve the project.

This gives new meaning to the phrase “one step forward and two steps back.”

There is apparently a concern that inflated population projections now mean this project isn’t necessary. The last high school expansion project proved to be insufficient not long after it was completed. Do we want to go down this same shortsighted road again? The high school is already inarguably overcrowded. The current middle school seventh grade class will be the largest class ever to enter the high school. One factor that is sure to cause a shrinking Newtown population is a grossly overcrowded high school that has lost its accreditation due to the short-sightedness of its leaders.

It is the absolute duty of the town leaders to let the voters decide on this important project. Furthermore, it is the absolute duty of the residents and taxpayers of Newtown to take action and let our town leaders know how we feel about this project, and more importantly, when given the opportunity, to get out and vote.

Respectfully,

Virginia & Tim Benoit

4 Hedge Meadow Lane, Newtown                                March 18, 2008

(Editor’s note: The Legislative Council has not yet voted on the high school expansion funding resolution.)