Focus On What Will Make

A Better Town

To the Editor:

In regard to the “Propaganda at Schools Expense?” article, the PTA of Middle Gate School voted to support the budget as set forth by the Board of Education.

We were told that the CABE attorneys have indicated that the schools are capable of advocating up until the number is set by the Legislative Council. This is what has occurred, and it appears that this article is clearly an attack to discredit our superintendent and Board of Education by focusing on a letter in a backpack (the standard method of distributing PTA information) vs pointing out [the consequences] if education is not funded appropriately in this town where we have real problems with the high school.

What will be the result if the continuing crowding in our high school is publicized beyond our “borders”? If we look beyond the sheer embarrassment that our town officials should have over the situation and the fact that our children are not getting the best education because of the overcrowding in that school... Our property values will fall. People will move to other towns. Businesses will not relocate here. Let’s fix this!

Why not focus on that? Why not focus on the fact that we don’t need a new town hall as the next way to put Herb Rosenthal’s stamp on this town. We need to pay for our schools to make them excellent and our children provided with the best education we can afford.

I have three children in elementary school, and I am already considering a move to another town if the high school problems are not addressed quickly. We moved to Newtown over ten years ago. We did not have children at the time, and now that we do, they have only been in the public school system for 1–3 years of our residency. Focus on what needs to be done to make this town better.

The backpack letter was not politically motivated — but the article I’ve read today sure seems to be.

Sally Lynn MacDonald

5 Beagle Trail, Sandy Hook                                          March 27, 2007