Many Reasons To Support The Budget

To the Editor:

I find myself watching from year to year, as many taxpayers do, what will happen with Newtown’s budget, especially after the recent revaluation and the uncertainty it brings. The education budget, in particular, has been highlighted for scrutiny in these times of economic downturn. Granted, the education portion of the budget accounts for a great portion of the tax load, but targeting education is not only unfair, but ungrateful as well.

For those concerned with the present, you should know, if you already don’t, that the quality of the education provided by the Newtown School District is surpassed by few in the state. Those of us who considered making Newtown our home in the last 30 years have also considered the effect its educational “product” has on the value of our real property investment. People move here because of education provided in Newtown directly impacts property values — and that’s also a fact.

For those not concerned with current property values, and those not concerned with societal goals, consider that the vast majority of our taxpayers and voters were educated on the public “dime.” That’s nothing to be ashamed of because it’s what we do as a society. Many of us owe our station in life, and our ability to live in Newtown, Conn., to those of a generation ago, and two and even three — to those who sacrificed current comforts for the benefit of following generations. Why are we so different?

Our district has been proud to announce for some time that it gets a great “bang for the buck” — referring to the fact that, some ten years ago, Newtown spend less on education per pupil than 89 of 166 other school districts — and that it now spends less per pupil than 149 of the 166 districts. It is a proud day for some when we spend less on a child’s education than, say, Bridgeport. How can we take and not give back?

And for those who still don’t get it, consider that, in our new “global economy,” our children will have to compete by working either smarter or for less money. How can we, in good conscience, put them in that position? They are us!

Yours,

Donald A. Mitchell

8 Budd Drive, Newtown                                                  May 7, 2003