School budget
Cut the budget! No, let the voters decide.
Taxpayer advocates and school supporters slugged it out — verbally — Monday night, at the finance board’s public hearing on the proposed $140-million budget with a 5.72% increase in school spending and 2.12% more for town departments.
There was no criticism — and some support — for the town request. The school budget drew conflicting opinions — nine speakers in favor, nine against.
“I think a 5.72% education budget shows a profound disconnect with the economic well-being of the citizens of this town,” said Linda Lavelle. “Nobody’s getting raises except public employees.”
Suzanne Schecter praised the school budget. “We are presenting to active learners, and they require support,” she said. “That means training our teachers.”
Learning has changed, she argued, gotten more complex.
“Math that makes you think about things!” she said. “Education today is nothing like education 10 years ago. …
“I support and I want to vote on 5.72% — because I want to see us succeed!” said Schecter.
“I have a really hard time accepting the education budget,” said John Devine.
“Declining enrollment — if this was a business, you’d reallocate resources.”
He opposed the 5.72% increase. “I think we’re much better around 2%,” Devine said. “If that means reducing headcount, that’s the way to do it.”
Amelia Fox wanted no cut. “We do have people who are passionate about education and willing to support the budget,” she said.
“I do believe it’s critical to support this most critical aspect of our town. … I just urge you to allow this to go to the voters.”
“Spending more doesn’t get you more,” said Elisabeth Maurer.
She scoffed at the 3.69% salary increase negotiated with the teachers’ union, the Connecticut Education Association (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” for raises, lowering benefits’ costs.
“If you’re going to spend more money, get something for it,” said Maurer.
Sandra Mahoney defended 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.”
She spoke about special education. “I don’t have any special needs kids,” she said. “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!”
Peter Furfaro recalled a school board discussion on special education. Someone said “You’re doing God’s work” to the educator.
“I thought to myself, ‘God’s work’ — these are actual people,” he said. “They need to be paid.”
Ed Tyrrell questioned staffing. “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,” Tyrrell said. “So they are trying to convince you that they need 20 more employees to educate 150 fewer students.”
Michelle Brewster described increasing taxes as “a burden to us seniors” and wanted the town’s $1,048 senior citizen tax credit raised.
“Since 2008 you have not increased that $1,048,” she said. “Yet in the last eight years the average cost of living has gone up 1.6% a year — your taxes average 3.17%.
Stephanie Anderson defended school spending.
“The parents who speak up for the budget are also taxpayers,” she said.
“I don’t know one parent who does not support a larger tax credit for seniors,” she added. “I’m asking you to raise my taxes so we can pay for our schools.”
Anderson recalled a consultant saying programs sometimes didn’t follow agreements concerning special needs students’ education.
“We were told we’re not even meeting the legal requirements we entered into,” she said.
“Talk to the Board of Education. Understand there is no fat to cut. If you cut the budget, the Board of Education is going to have to raise class sizes.”
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