A School Board Housecleaning

Is In Order

To the Editor:

In last week’s Bee there were several letters to the editor which harshly criticized the Board of Education [BOE] for their recent decision to award pay increases, stipends, car allowances and annuities to members of the administration and others. These actions came after the BOE proposed a “bare bones” budget that entailed a variety of cuts to teaching staff and programs and after other town workers forfeited their raises, bonuses etc. One writer characterized these decisions by the BOE as acts of deception. I would not go that far, but I would call them acts of ignorance. Just another example of how much out of touch this board is with the people of Newtown.

Unfortunately, letters to the BOE, or to this newspaper, will change nothing. Unless the makeup of this board is dramatically altered, the same old, same old will continue. In less than four months the public will have a possible chance to steer a new course in our educational system. Every incumbent member of the BOE who decides to serve again should be denied this opportunity by the voters. Although a thorough housecleaning of incumbent members up for reelection will not guarantee an improved change of direction, what is certain is that returning seated members for another four years will absolutely ensure more of the same misguided actions and policies. The BOE has operated far too long in the shadow of the superintendent and central administration to whom they have relinquished their power and authority. They have lost sight of the reasons why we have a school board and the importance of the trust that is vested in them.

I wish to extend my best wishes to any challenger to incumbent members in the November election and hope that, if they are successful, they will fully understand their duties and responsibilities and not surrender them to the administration.

George Caracciolo

Schoolhouse Hill Road, Newtown                   July 10, 2009

(Mr Caracciolo is a candidate for a seat on the Board of Education on the Republican slate this year.)