To the Editor:

By GAIL SLUPATCHUK

Published: Oct 07, 2011 12:00 AM

To the Editor:

I am happy to express our support for Jim Gaston for selectman of the Town of Newtown. Mr Gaston is both assertive and civil. We know how education is important to him, as is fiscal responsibility.

Jim Gaston was on the Board of Finance for ten years. He did an admirable job balancing town and education needs. No spin, straight as an arrow, Jim Gaston called it as he saw it. Thatâs what we need.

As Borough Warden, we have a sense of comfort. There will be no behind the scenes politics; he will fight vigorously to protect us, his constituents.

We have seen his work: Historic District, Health District, United Water battle, record low tax mill, and preservation of the Main Street sugar maple tree line from open trenching.

He has served us well for ten years on the Board of Finance and believes in preserving Newtownâs hallmarks that make Newtown special. Mr Gaston is a constructive builder. Unfortunately, others seem to sometimes just be the energy of destruction.

I also believe in the Return to Reason. Please vote for Jim Gaston for Board of Selectmen!

Doug Nelson

14 The Boulevard, NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â September 3, 2011

Referendum Results: Split Decision

Snapshot: Chris Gardner

Garden Club Of Newtown Preparing Victory Garden Rows, Plants For Fundraising Sale

Dozens Enjoy Recitations Of Original Works During Poetry Walk Reception

Referendum At Midpoint: 5% Turnout Reported

Teachers Union - nuff said.

Vote No To The BOE Budget And No it Should Not Be Higher

Newtown schools have degraded over the 3+ decades I've lived here as the concentrated social experiment curricula driven by the state and small but loud groups. Yet we continue to dig into our pockets while we witness the downward spiral.

Vote Yes On April 23

Unfortunately as voter turnout continues to decline the chances of it increasing also decline. The LC and BOF already know that the budget will be approved by virtue of the low turnout so why try to make smart decisions? The so-called referendum is essentially just a rubber stamp. They will continue to increase the budget by 2-5% every year because it's low enough to not cause a pushback under the cover of "inflation" and "maintaining the schools." Sending the budget to vote with 9% turnout is meaningless and a waste of resources on April 23rd.

Go Out And Vote April 23

I have seen Mr. Pisani repeatedly assert in the pages of the Bee that Newtown schools are "testing at a failing 64.9%". I'd be curious if he could elaborate on this statistic, as I have been unable to verify it independently. Which test exactly is our school system failing? How do our schools compare to other towns? How does our score compare to historical measures? It's very hard to draw conclusions from a single data point, so here are a few more data points to think about for context: Newtown is consistently ranked among the top 20 school districts in CT by the US News and World Report and Niche, which consider a range of performance metrics in their rankings; on average, Newtown students perform similar to, if not better than, students in neighboring school districts on standardized math and reading tests; the only data point on the CT Department of Education District Report Card where Newtown "fails" -- that is, falls behind the state average -- is access to art instruction. I'm glad the council member has acknowledged in this letter what taxpayers in high-performing (and high-spending) school districts like Darien, New Canaan, and Westport already know: "School funding does impact student achievement." Please keep that in mind when you vote this week!

All I Ask Is That You Think About It

An investment is done with a hope for a return. The operative term here is 'hope'.

Continue To Invest In Newtown’s Schools

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