To the Editor:

Please vote Yes on Tuesday, April 28th!  As co-chairs of the Newtown Education Advocacy Group (NEAG), we would like to encourage you to come out and vote – in support of Newtown’s education budget.

The current education budget not only maintains current programs and services, it also accounts for the declining enrollment in our district.  More importantly, it offers growth and enhancement opportunities through recommendations for new or continued programs, such as the pilot of world language in Kindergarten, expansion of the GATES program, a high school academic officer to help our students succeed, stipends for sports teams to grow after school opportunities and keep kids safe, and the support and expansion of the NICE program. 

Over the past few months, the collaboration we have personally witnessed between Central Office and the BOE is reassuring and refreshing.  This teamwork is positive and has resulted in continued programs and services and educational enhancements, while identifying savings that do not negatively impact our children’s education, and, in our opinion, works to satisfy the needs of our students and the community.

Just as we support our children when it comes to sports, music and theater events, let’s support our children by voting “Yes” (and “Yes, too low” on the advisory question) at the budget referendum on April 28th at Newtown Middle School between 6 am and 8 pm.  Bring your spouse, neighbor, friend or co-worker, too.  Every vote counts! 

Thank you,

Karyn Holden and Kinga Walsh

Co-chairs, NEAG

68 Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook

21 Horseshoe Ridge Road, Sandy Hook  April 22, 2015