To The Editor:

In last week’s Letters to the Editor, Mr Hungaski challenged the idea that Republicans support thriving schools and went as far as to accuse Republican Legislative Council members of “gutting our schools” during last year’s budget process.

We, the currently elected Republican Legislative Council members, Ben Ruben (District 3), Derek Pisani (District 1), Jennifer Nicoletti (District 2), and John Zachos (District 3), would like to clarify a few things for the voters of Newtown before they head to the polls on Election Day.

The Legislative Council does not control line items in the Board of Education budget. We vote only on the total budget amount. How those funds are spent is determined by the Superintendent and the Board of Education. The Council’s role is to balance the needs and wants of both the town and the schools with taxpayers’ ability to pay. Sometimes that means proposing reductions to budget requests on either the town or school side — to lessen tax burdens on residents.

That balance is especially critical today. There are 700 families in Newtown who cannot afford their current taxes, 400 families who rely on the food pantry to put food on their tables, and 115 families facing foreclosure. These are our neighbors and fellow residents. Their struggles remind us that every dollar we add to the budget has a real human impact. Fiscal responsibility is not just a talking point it is a necessity for many families trying to stay in their homes.

It’s also important to note what Mr Hungaski left out. According to Superintendent of Schools Anne Uberti’s October 13th newsletter, “Niche recently released its 2026 school ranking information. Newtown Public Schools moved from #24 Best School Districts in Connecticut to #22.” This improvement came in the very same year we were accused of “gutting our schools.”

We commend Superintendent Uberti for making the most of the 2.75% school budget increase that year, delivering outstanding results and improving district performance. That success demonstrates what we mean by “thriving schools”: responsible financial stewardship of taxpayer dollars paired with excellent educational outcomes.

What truly seems like campaign rhetoric is the manufactured outrage implied in Mr Hungaski’s letter.

As residents head to the polls, we ask voters to remember that Republican Legislative Council members care deeply about maintaining strong, thriving schools while also protecting families from unsustainable tax increases. We remain committed to thoughtful, balanced budgeting that supports students, respects taxpayers, and keeps Newtown a great place to live.

Ben Ruben

Derek Pisani

Newtown