Bethel School Sup't Accused of Trying to Influence Budget Vote

BETHEL, CT — The Bethel Action Committee, a local watchdog group, has filed a complaint with the State Election Enforcement Committee, claiming that school officials illegally promoted the approval of the town budget, the News-Times is reporting.

The promotion was in the form of the weekly newsletter sent by Superintendent Dr. Christine Carver to parents of students in Bethel schools. The town will be holding the referendum for the 2019-20 budget on Tuesday, May 7.

The BAC's complaint is based upon Public Act 13-247, which forbids local officials from using public funds or a "community notifications system" to influence a referendum.

The text of the April 29 edition of Superintendent's News" reads in part::

"At the Town Meeting on April 24th, the revised Town budget was moved to a referendum vote on May 7th. The Town budget contains our maintenance account, school debt for renovations and capital non-reoccurring (band uniforms and resurfacing of track). It is important to remember that the town budget in many ways also supports the schools."

Similar complaints were filed against Carver in 2015, but were dismissed by the SEEC because the date of the referendum had not been set at the time the newsletter was distributed.

For more, see the News-Times.