Taxpayer advocates and school supporters argued their way to a 9-to-9 draw Monday night, at the Board of Finance’s public hearing on a 140 million budget that includes a 5.72% increase in education spending and 2.12% hike for town departments. The finance board has budget work meetings scheduled Tuesday through Thursday this week, and Tuesday and Wednesday next week, as well.
“Spending more doesn’t get you more,” said Elisabeth Maurer.
She was dismissive of the 3,69% salary increase the school board had negotiated with the teachers’ union, the Connecticut Education Association or CEA.
“I negotiate with unions every day,” said Maurer, a lawyer. “The contract you have negotiated is a CEA contract — the standard contract across the state.”
Other towns got “give-backs” in benefits for raises.
“If you’re going to spend more money,” she said, “get something for it!”
Noting that she has four school children, Sandra Mahoney addressed the issue of teachers’ raises.
“You get what you pay for,” she said. “And if you’re not willing to invest in the primary driver of our education — your teachers — they’re going to find employment elsewhere.
“I don’t have any special needs kids,” she added. “But I can tell you the experiences my kids have had in classrooms with special needs kids — it’s the greatest thing that’s happened in their lives!”
Ed Tyrrell questioned the number of teachers.
“Last year’s budget approved by the voters had 703 employees to educate 5,053 students. This year they are requesting 723 employees to educate 4,903 students,” he said.
“So they are trying to convince you that they need 20 more employees to education 150 fewer students.”
He took on the argument that the budget is driven by special education.
“They are telling you that this budget is all about making sure our special needs students get the services they deserve. But what it is really about is making sure the union get what they want!”
Stephanie Anderson had a different view.
“I’m here to ask you not to cut the Board of Education budget,” she said.
“The parents who speak up for the budget are also taxpayers.”
Anderson also responded to a few speakers who’d pointed out that the senior citizens’ tax credit hasn’t been raised in several years, while spending and taxes have continued to go up.
“I don’t know one parent who does not support a larger tax credit for seniors,” she said. “I’m asking you to raise my taxes so we can pay for our schools.”
She recalled the consultant who studied the special education program, and found it was not meeting the “individual education plans” designed for various students.
“We were told we’re not even meeting the legal requirements we entered into,” Anderson said.
“Talk to the Board of Education. Understand there is no fat to cut,” she told the finance board. “If you cut the budget, the Board of Education is going to ahve to raise class sizes.”
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