Let Parents Have A Say

To the Editor:

I just read online that the Board of Education voted to turn down the proposal for full-day kindergarten. What happened to the days where the taxpayers decided what they wanted in their own budget?

I have a child in kindergarten and two more on their way. The only contact I had about this topic was in the form of a survey sent out by Hawley School last year, in which I expressed an interest in full-day kindergarten. It was my understanding that several parents also wanted their children to be in full-day kindergarten. Talking to other parents, almost everyone I have talked to has supported the idea, and I know several other parents whose children are not in Newtown public schools (despite the fact that they pay taxes) because they want their children to be in full-day kindergarten. In this, Newtown is way behind the times.

My son goes to Hawley and participates in a wonderful kindergarten program there, but by the time I put him on the bus and he gets to school, he only has a couple of hours there before he turns around and comes back. His days are jam packed and the standards for public education only continue to get higher. All I am asking for is a chance for parents to have a say before the Board of Education cuts out of the budget line items that parents may value greatly. I have lived in Newtown my entire life, and more and more I see decisions being made for me instead of me making my own decisions regarding my tax dollars, and somehow we need to put a stop to it.

Sincerely,

Katie Hill

18 Tamarack Road, Newtown                                   February 9, 2011