Let's Think About It

I am planning to attend a meeting at City Hall in the evening regarding the Shelton BOE budget proposal to the Board of Aldermen and the Board of Apportionment and Taxation. The Board of Education has already presented their proposed budget to the mayor and he has given a "counter offer". While the Mayor has given his opinion on how much funding should be appropriate for education in the next year, this does not align with the BOE's projections and now the board of A&T and the BOA each must review the proposal and give their opinion.

There has been much talk about either one side or the other and sometimes it gets ugly. But why is it so difficult to come to a reasonable agreement where both "sides" are satisfied? There is the hot button issue of Full Day Kindergarten on the table, but it is not a new concept and seems to be a reasonable, profitable investment coming to light in a fiscally positive time for the city.

Here is where I issue a challenge. I ask each and every member on both of these boards to pore through the proposed BOE budget and come up with questions on line items, raise concerns with proposed expenditures, challenge the solidity of practices. Once you have fielded and addressed the budgetary issues with which you are concerned, devise an educated, thoughtful perspective on the proposed scenario. You, sirs, are charged with the weight of ensuring the fullness of our children's collective educational experience and preparation for success. This is my main motivator.

The future success of this city really does depend in part on the effectiveness of our educational system and the richness of the childhood experience. Industry comes and goes, but family digs roots. We as parents need to make sure that our children have the best of what is available and affordable. You as elected officials need to make sure that we have those opportunities made available in our community.

So again, I ask the boards of A&T and the Aldermen to please make an individual, educated and thoughtful decision when it comes to the board of education proposed budget.


Thank you,
Michele B Bialek