Learning From Our Apathy

To the Editor:

On Monday evening, March 8, the Board of Finance listened for over an hour to the impassioned pleas from school budget supporters to leave the school budget intact and pass it on to the Legislative Council. Although the Board of Finance ended up reducing that budget by $250,000, I still believe they were considerate of the views expressed supporting the school budget.  But what remains to be seen is whether the voters of Newtown will support this budget.

A common concern echoed by members of the Board of Finance is that historically Newtown has approved a budget increase of about six percent. Guess what? Their concern is well founded. Who can forget last year’s disappointing participation in the budget vote? Of the 14,511 registered voters, 29 percent participated in the first vote. By the second budget vote, about 34 percent turned out to vote. Finally, after a petition to hold yet another referendum, 36 percent of registered voters turned out to approve the budget by the slimmest of margins.  I’m not sure whether the town budget was finally approved due to an additional $300,000 reduction by the Legislative Council, or whether it was a vote of frustration. Keep in mind that each time a referendum is held it costs the town about $8,000.

Fortunately, this is another year and we have the chance to learn from our own apathy and change history. We should welcome and embrace the opportunity we have to take an active role in the destiny of our schools and our town. Support this budget now, by attending the Legislative Council meeting on March 24th, and continue supporting it by voting “Yes” on April 27th. 

Gianine Crowell

26 Canterbury Lane, Sandy Hook                            March 10, 2004