Teachers, Residents Ask Aldermen to Increase Education Budget

The Board of Aldermen held a public hearing on the 2011-2012 fiscal year budget last night at . About 70 people attended, many of them school administrators or parents, and the topic of the evening swiftly turned into a call for increased educational support.

As a result of last year’s cuts, 91 public school employees were laid off. At the public hearing, particular concern was raised over the loss of counselors and media specialists.

Beverly Belden, principal of , said that counselors are an integral part of the learning system because they equip children with the “building blocks” to deal with life as adults.

“This is not something frivolous we’re asking for. If we don’t pay for it now, we’ll be paying for it in the future,” she said.

Counselor Pamela Anderson pointed out that “state and national guidelines suggest one counselor for every 250 students. This year, I have a thousand students.”

Teachers Betsy Grant and Terry Hillman took the podium together to say that the city cannot afford such a decrease in services as school and societal problems are increasing.

“No longer are children able to meet with counselors in life skills groups that encompass problem solving, diversity, coping, anger management, divorce, social skills, study skills, career awareness and homework support. All of these groups have helped support children and families in the past,” Hillman said.

Grant added that “families today have a difficult time preparing the child for school. There are more broken homes and blended families. Many children live in single parent homes where there is a noticeable lack of support.”

Speaking on behalf of the library media department, Joan Tichy requested that the aldermen appropriate funding to provide an additional 2.5 media specialists at the elementary level, one specialist at the , and to reinstate paraprofessionals for support.

“I assure you that media specialists do more than check out books,” Tichy said. The library department also teaches students how to access databases, use computer programs and navigate technology.

Jennifer Recker of the parent group Y.E.S. (Yes! to Education in Shelton) said that Shelton is ranked 147 out of 169 towns in Connecticut for the amount of money spent on education per student. “That’s not something I’m proud of.”

Recker also said that if Tuesday’s crowd seemed smaller or less enthusiastic about budget issues than last year, it is because they feel the aldermen are not taking their comments into consideration.

The lone opinion that schools did not need more funding came from Ron Pavluvcik.

“There’s a lot of blue collar people in Shelton. We can’t afford some of the thrills we’ve had over the years,” he said.

Pavluvcik argued that some of the programs on the chopping block, such as spelling bees and D.A.R.E., are negligible.

Pavluvcik told the aldermen he is proud of Mayor Mark A. Lauretti’s proposed budget because it is reasonable and will reduce the mill rate.

The aldermen will hold a final workshop at 7:30 p.m. May 5 to make any final adjustments, before ultimately voting to adopt a new budget on May 12.