Looking Ahead To Better Schools

To the Editor:

After much time and effort from parents, teachers and concerned citizens, the Board of Finance reduced our school budget by $250,000 dollars, considerably less than originally anticipated. At this point it may be quite easy to be lulled into complacency, however, our work has only begun. Our goal for Newtown’s education system should include not only preserving what we currently have, but advocating for a larger budget to maintain the standards of excellence we expect from Newtown schools. Additionally, I believe now is the time to be planning ahead with innovative financial planning and consistent effort and support via town meetings and contacting our elected officials. Anticipating student and teacher needs in order to provide both with the opportunities to excel should become a priority.

Voicing your concerns to our elected officials is vital and I urge you to take just a few minutes to phone or email our senator and representatives, regardless of whether you have school-aged children or have opted for private schooling.

Key concerns include:

State grants have decreased from approximately 25 percent of the school budget to nine percent in recent years.

“No Child Left Behind,” a federal mandate, places financial burden on our town. The federal government pays only seven percent of the educational cost required to assure that every child masters the yearly testing. Our state must make up the remainder. Additional burden is placed on teachers to supplement test preparation, preventing students from utilizing precious classroom instruction.

Newtown ranks 12th statewide in town wealth/affluence, however we rank 139th out of 169 in educational spending per student in Connecticut.

Federal educational funds have decreased by $1.3 million in 2004–2005 and by $1.6 million in 2003–2004.

Due to reduced funding on local, state, and federal levels, class size has increased and many programs have been eliminated. (e.g. at SHS many classes are currently at the maximum limit recommended by the Board of Education)

Our elected officials represent us and have the responsibility to promote our interests.

Contact information: Senator Joe Lieberman, Phone: 800-225-5605, website: lieberman.senate.gov; Senator Christopher Dodd, phone: 800-334-5341, website: dodd.senate.gov; State Senator John McKinney, phone: 860-240-0441, email: John.McKinney@po.state.ct.us; Representative Julia Wasserman, phone: 800-842-1423, email:Julia.Wasserman@housegop.state.ct.us; Representative DebraLee Hovey, phone: 860-240-8700, email:DebraLee.Hovey@housegop.state.ct.us.

Harshini Joshi Delity

19 Clapboard Ridge Road, Sandy Hook                     March 10, 2004