To The Editor:

Firstly, I am writing as a concerned resident and not on behalf of the Legislative Council of which I am a member.

Closing a school is a difficult decision and not one I envy. No one wants to downsize; rather it is a question of if doing so is the best decision for the students and the community in which they live. To quote our ratings agency, Moody's, Newtown faces challenges "managing expenditure pressures in an environment of constrained revenue growth."

Last year the Board of Education reduced staffing in line with declining enrollment as they have done each year since I've been involved. However, the BOE has not taken any significant steps to reduce overhead costs during this period of decline. That means each student's per pupil expenditure number carries a larger and larger portion of the overhead costs (facilities, maintenance, utilities, administration…)

As the son of a teacher I believe that the most effective educational resources are spent closest to the students, such as on programming and staffing. Having observed the last two BOE contract negotiations, I saw the board's financial concerns as they simultaneously try to attract and retain the best educators for Newtown while managing their largest expense. Budgetary pressures mean the BOE must find the highest and best use of its resources in fulfilling their charge to provide the best possible education of the children of Newtown, pressures that efficiencies found in facilities use could go a long way towards relieving. We know costs will go up and revenue may decrease with cost-sharing changes and impending state deficits. One million-plus in annual savings could make a real difference.

While we are losing student age population, any potential future increase in enrollment will likely also happen gradually, giving future boards time to respond to an uptick. According the US Census Bureau, this may be ten years later than expected as millennials (like myself) are not having kids until our 30s, if at all.

Comments that this is only some number per tax payer per year trivialize the concerns of the struggling members of our community. I would encourage anyone who does not think $50 is a lot to attend a board of assessment appeals hearing. It is the attitude of dismissing cost increases that makes Newtown too expensive for some through the cumulative effect of several smaller increases. Without right-sized government and responsible use of resources Newtown may have great schools, but only for those affluent enough to live here.

I am not naïve enough to expect $1 million in savings would translate entirely to $1 million in spending reductions. However it may give the board flexibly to maintain and even improve the educational experience, which is why I believe addressing facilities overhead responsibly is in the best interest of the students.

I wish the Board of Education all the best in this difficult decision.

Thank you,

Ryan Knapp

11 Jeremiah Road, Sandy Hook         November 30, 2016