A group of local senior citizens spoke with the Board of Education at its special meeting on Saturday, February 4. The board also discussed a potential sleep study and school building use at the meeting.

Board Chair Keith Alexander opened the meeting by explaining the first hour would be devoted to hearing from the senior citizen community. Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, said the special meeting was a result of a number of conversations he has had with community members since last June or July. The superintendent said he believes everyone always wants what is best for students, before he introduced local senior Steve Rosenblatt, whom Dr Erardi thanked for his help in creating the meeting.

After saying involved citizens are essential for a community, Mr Rosenblatt asked the board about declining enrollment when compared to growing budgets.

Dr Erardi said a comparison of the district's enrollment and staff from 2008 to 2018 shows the staffing level has decreased with lower student enrollment. However, "The cost of education has gone up," he said, and not just in Newtown. Overall Connecticut is also experiencing a decrease in student populations, with exceptions in urban areas, the superintendent said, before sharing the state has experienced roughly a 1.7 percent decrease in student population while the cost of education rose roughly 3 percent.

Noting the school board approved its 2017-18 proposed budget Thursday, February 2, for $75,120,605, or a 1.98 percent increase from the current budget, Dr Erardi said the approved budget also included a reduction of eight teaching positions and increased program efficiency.

"You're investing into a system that is high yield for children, and I believe that from my heart, not just because I'm the superintendent," said Dr Erardi.

Mr Alexander added that reducing the number of facilities in use in the district is not as easy as reducing staffing positions, and after a recent look at reducing the number of school facilities the board did not find a point where it would work.

While there was an enrollment decline this school year, Dr Erardi said Sandy Hook Elementary School, where the special meeting was held, had an additional 30 students.

"I'm just really pleased the community has accepted the new Sandy Hook School," said Dr Erardi.

Seniors' Observations

The seniors shared a number of observations and asked about a range of topics. One person said the public schools should look at bringing students enrolled in private schools into public schools. The same person also said involving local seniors more in schools would help facilitate a better understanding of how school buildings work. Dr Erardi offered to have a follow-up meeting with people interested in becoming more involved in the schools.

After speaking about per pupil expenditure, Mr Rosenblatt said recent school budget increases have been modest when compared to increase amounts from the early 2000s. When looking to the future, Mr Rosenblatt questioned how much the district will be spending in years to come.

Another speaker asked about how the state's "financial disgrace" will impact the school district budget, and Dr Erardi and State Representative Mitch Bolinsky responded with information about the state's Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) program. Dr Erardi said Newtown receives less than 50 percent of what it should receive, while other towns receive more. A restructuring of the ECS formula is being sought at the state level for more equity, according to Rep Bolinsky. There is a reason to be concerned about how state funding relates to Newtown, Rep Bolinsky said.

"It's going to be a long fight," he stated.

Later, after being asked why the inequity was not noticed sooner, Rep Bolinsky said an imbalance has existed since the start of ECS and he is "the person who is looking to restore that for you." Noting that Newtown has "not been left out in the cold" on state funding, Rep Bolinsky also asked the community members present to advocate at the state level for fair reimbursement.

"We are much better as a unified town, and we are much better advocating for education and for senior services together," said Rep Bolinsky, who had attended the special meeting as a community member.

Others at the meeting voiced concern about declining enrollment with increases in the budget, a perceived mistake at the decision not to close a school building, a fear of losing "great teachers" due to paying lower than average salaries, increasing budgets when local seniors have fixed incomes, and if there is a better way to inform local seniors about the budget and other programs.

"This turnout today is very significant," said resident Rudy Magnan, adding the turnout and opinions shared represent a small part of what is felt in town.

Mr Alexander thanked everyone for attending the event, and added, "I love the fact that you guys all came out today to talk."

Board members took turns responding to the gathered community members before the first hour was over. Board Secretary Debbie Leidlein said she would welcome more conversations with local seniors in the community, and board member Rebekah Harriman-Stites said everyone benefits from the exchange of ideas. Board member Andrew Clure said the board does look at ways to find cost savings, pointing out an effort to look into having a shared purchasing agent with the town. When the budget is prepared, board member John Vouros said, it is done with integrity, honesty, and "children in mind."

School Start Times And Facility Use

The school board also discussed whether it would launch a study on sleep and school start times. If done, board members said the scope of what the board looks at should include the benefits and disadvantages for all students, the cost of changing school start times, looking at what other districts have decided about later start times, and the potential impact on other areas of the school day, like sports.

Referring to work completed by the district's recent Future Forecast Committee, the board also discussed looking at potential uses for space - both educational and some that could bring in revenue.

Since the meeting was a special meeting, the board could not vote on any discussions. Members discussed the potential of having subcommittees look at both school start times and potential facility use at a later date.