To the Editor:
There they go again.
In their recent guidelines, the Republican-controlled Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) outlined how they plan to cut our children’s education dollars next year. Again.
This time, the proposed cut is $3.7 million. That’s the gap between what BET Republicans voted for last week and what the schools’ operational needs are expected to be, based on projected contractual obligation cost increases. That makes a total of roughly $8 million slashed from our schools in two years.
Yes, these are called “guidelines,” not a final budget. But guidelines show intent. And last year, Republicans wielded their intent as a hatchet and chopped off that last minute $4 million to get to their golden number. The new parameters issued last week were created on the fly, during a late night meeting, without considering the actual budget drivers and without doing all the math.
Republicans want you to believe these guidelines are just suggestions — it’s something they’re happy to say on the campaign trail, but when it came down to an actual vote on adding language making it clear the numbers are a “starting point” and “not a cap”, they voted no. That’s telling.
When Republicans approve guidelines that defund our schools, it sends a clear message about their priorities. And that message is meant to pressure the Superintendent and the Board of Education as they prepare their budgets, knowing that certain needs — staffing, programs, or maintenance — are not likely to be funded.
The record of the past several years proves that restrictive guidelines have led to starved budgets, delayed school projects, and chaos for students and parents alike.
Elections are about direction and values. The budget guidelines adopted by the Republican BET are the roadmap — and the destination they point to is one of poor planning, continued underfunding, and sacrificing our children’s education.
Early voting is on now. Election Day is November 4. Vote as if your children’s education depends on it — because it does. Vote for all 6 BET Democrats.
Early voting at Town Hall runs through November 2. Election Day is November 4.
Heather Knapp
Riverside, CT