An Educational Partnership

To the Editor:

I am saddened and disappointed by the quote appearing in the May 12 edition of The Bee concerning the budget reduction considerations. It is as follows: “Today there are more taxpayers who are not using the school system and still supporting it.” Is the schools system to be supported by only those who use it? What exactly does “using it” mean?

A town is a union of people for the benefit of all. We support all services for all residents as it is to the benefit of all to do so. I know that Newtown has grown in the 19 years I have lived here and continues to grow. Was the growth of Newtown residents due to the flagpole or perhaps due to the beauty of the Ram Pasture? May I suggest that perhaps the primary reason our town has experienced significant growth, and has an abundance of families of all ages, is due to the superior reputation of Newtown public schools?

My wife and I moved here in 1987 with three young children. We chose Newtown over other towns in the area for one primary reason: the school system. Naturally, we did our research on the schools, as I’m sure all families do when they buy a house. This included review of student statistics, visiting the schools and talking to parents we would meet. We did the same in many towns. We had no friends or family in Newtown, and we worked outside of the town at the time. We came here “cold.”

The education our children received exceeded our expectations. They have all attended Hawley School, the middle school and graduated from the high school. Each went on to college, prepared through a partnership of family and school. How can I ignore that partnership now?

Those who made money selling land, and building homes can thank, to a great extent, the school district. The electricians, plumbers, lawn care services, alarm companies, and all service industries have profited from growth due, in a large part, to the fact that families want quality education for their children. Both property and home values in Newtown have risen dramatically over the years. Ask any realtor in town to measure the impact of the school district on property values and a family’s decision to buy a home. My guess is that it is the major reason families with children choose one town over another.

Some residents may not like the unprecedented growth of Newtown, but it is what it is. We must support our families. I am now retired, but how can I turn my back on others simply because my children have graduated from the school system? It was due to this school system, to a great extent, that my children went on to secure college degrees. Soon they will be solid contributors to the towns where they choose to live. Certainly we need appropriate town services. Of course Newtown needs a well staffed police department that has the equipment they need. We need our snow plowed and the potholes filled. The list goes on and on. But we need the schools most of all for the education of our fellow town citizens is our responsibility, whether we are directly “using” it or not. Let us not undermine the foundation of our town, the schools.

Sincerely,

Richard A. English

 3 Curry Drive, Newtown              May 10, 2006