To The Editor:

Michelle Ku, Candidate for CT State Representative 106th District, attended and spoke on the merits of the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution during the 2024 attempt to ban books in Newtown’s public schools. She and many students pushed back against this made up controversy.

In March 2024, The CT Education Committee proposed Bill No.: HB-5417: AN ACT CONCERNING PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARIES. This was in response to the nationally organized racist, homophobic book banning attacks on public schools. Within the reason for the bill was this description: “As a state amid a youth mental health crisis, this bill would ensure all students have access to books that provide self-affirming, relatable stories to provide social and emotional support to those struggling students. Additionally, it would provide a framework for local school boards of education to respond to potential reading challenges and will help ensure that decisions about access to reading materials will be made through an education-based, clear procedure.”

Michelle Ku would be in favor of this bill.

Mitch Bolinsky attended hours of testimony but still submitted a statement in opposition to HB-5417.

In 2025, in response to school aged children found in horrific circumstances, CT legislation was considered to more closely monitor students that leave our public schools. According to the CT Dept of Education, “Reasons students leave CT's public school system”, the transfer to homeschool is the fifth reason students leave public school, (in 2024, 0.6% of CT’s school aged children.). These children and their families don’t have access to school resources, nor public school oversight.

Michelle Ku recognizes the importance of fully funded public schools and will fight to increase state funding that would reduce town budgets and municipal taxes.

During public hearings associated with the CT 2025 omnibus education bill, Mitch Bolinsky, ignoring the ongoing controversy, decided to speak in favor of homeschooling without public school oversight.

Please register to vote and vote early this midterm election. Help elect Michelle Ku, CT State Representative for the 106th District.

Don Lococo

Newtown