Newtown Public Schools will have a two-hour early dismissal on Tuesday, January 26, and all after school activities are canceled, due to the anticipated weather.
The superintendent’s proposed 2021-22 $81,080,697 budget represents a 3.09 percent or $2,428,921 increase from the current spending package.
Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue shared an over...
In delivering recent testing data to the Board of Education at its virtual January 5 meeting, Newtown Director of Teaching & Learning Frank Purcaro pointed out results offer a reason to be “cautiously optimistic” while students may still be struggling day to day.
Precision Computer Services Inc (PCS) of Shelton recently supported fulfilling a Make-A-Wish Connecticut effort at Newtown High School. Read more here.
Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue sent a letter to district parents and staff on January 14 announcing students in seventh to twelfth grade can return in full to school buildings “in a safe...
With students back in school buildings as of January 4, Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue shared COVID-19 related updates with the Board of Education at its January 5 meeting.
Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue announced in a letter to parents and staff on January 8 that cases of COVID-19 at Newtown High School and Newtown Middle School have resulted in quarantining students and staff. Read the superintendent's letter here.
The voters certainly spoke — and I respect the outcome — but let’s not forget that a “majority” doesn’t mean everyone agreed. Many of us are deeply concerned about the rising cost of living here. Supporting schools and services is important, but so is ensuring that residents can afford to stay in the town they love.
We all want Newtown to be a great place to live, but lately, it’s starting to feel less like “Nicer in Newtown” and more like “More Expensive in Newtown.” That’s not sustainable, and it’s not a criticism of the town itself — it’s a call for responsible budgeting and long-term planning that doesn’t rely on tax increases year after year.
I hope future decisions will reflect not just the desire to maintain services, but also the need to ease the financial burden on residents.
I appreciate the passion behind this message, and I absolutely understand the desire to invest in our town. That said, I voted no — not because I don't care about Newtown, but because I do. Fiscal responsibility is not about ignoring problems, it’s about making sure we address them in a sustainable and transparent way.
It’s frustrating to feel like every year there’s a new “urgent” reason to raise taxes, with little serious effort to curb spending or prioritize needs. I worry this just sets the stage for another round of increases next year. That doesn't mean I’m against education, safety, or our town’s future — it means I believe in accountability and in asking tough questions about how our money is managed.
Voting no wasn't a rejection of Newtown — it was a call for more thoughtful, balanced leadership. I hope future conversations can include all perspectives, not just those willing to write a bigger check.
The voters spoke, loud and clear that they support our schools and municipal services. The majority vote was a mandate to keep delivering well rated education services and keep it" Nicer in Newtown."
Thank you LeReine, for speaking out about this. The list of public servants who are unfairly targeted for abuse just for doing their jobs has been growing. It is a testament to the power of propaganda that otherwise good and well-meaning people can get so emotional as to act out in this way.
