To answer that question, we must know what the vision for the town is. Is developing Fairfield Hills a priority? Is maintaining the historical charm of Newtown important? Is attracting business to the town a main concern? Striving for a zero percent tax increase seems to be a strong driving force for this year’s budget. As a part of an overall plan, though, will this help our community prosper?

When our family moved here, our goal was to move to a town where great schools were a valued asset. Newtown fit the bill. The town website shows off our blue ribbon school (Saint Rose of Lima, a private school) in a promotional video (www.elocallink.tv/clients3/ct/newtown/tourplay.php?movie=newtct10_edu_rev5_iwd&spon=educatio). Whoever made the video must have thought good schools were a plus, and schools were clearly a priority for this town at one time.

Whether by default or by design, there are many, many families that were attracted to Newtown because of the schools. However, in the past several years, the financial support for the schools has been marginal. The increases in the Board of Education’s budgets haven’t even kept up with the rate of inflation. And Newtown has one of the lowest per pupil spending rates in the state.

It is time to recognize that supporting a strong educational system is part of a viable vision for this town.

Alas, the budget does not do this. And so, I throw my hands up in the air and ask, “Where is the vision?”

Michelle Embree Ku

28 Platts Hill Road, Newtown                                         May 23, 2012