State Budget Impasse Will Negatively Affect Bethel Schools

Here’s irony for you.

I’m a taxpayer activist in Bethel. For the past 15 years, I have fought hard against unrestrained spending. I have ranted and raved about school administrators’ salaries, head count, union contracts, and pensions. I’ve made myriad motions from the floor at Town Meetings to reduce both town and education sides of our budget.

However, what I have NEVER done is propose cutting off entire school districts at the knees. This is what the state of Connecticut’s inability to come together over its budget will do to Bethel.

Governor Malloy, who took “control” of the state’s spending on June 30th, says, “I regret that our state is in this position.” Well, in the words of an old blues song, “sorry don’t change it.”

I’m sorry, too, Mr. Malloy. Because, Bethel, which boasts one of the finest school systems in Connecticut and whose citizens take our budget process very seriously, will now be punished for circumstances that occurred outside of our control.

The fact that the governor’s fellow Democrats occupy most of the House and half the Senate would lead one to believe they’d be able to craft their own budget plan or at least reach a compromise with Governor Malloy.
Mr. Malloy seems to be, as we say in Texas, “all hat and no cattle.”

It’s the middle of July. Businesses are fleeing the state, the unions are digging their heels in, and our hapless governor simply promises that he “will not stop working.” Well, maybe you’re working too hard at avoiding a solution.

Here’s the deal. It’s easy to be in charge when things are going smoothly. The real test of leadership is what you do when the going gets tough, and the definition of commitment is sticking with it until it gets done.
Obviously, there will serious consequences from any proposals that drastically cut precious school funding and raise property taxes in Connecticut cities and towns. Don’t get me wrong — I’m a big fan of cost-reduction efforts and belt tightening. However, I am not a supporter of extreme, poorly thought-out, dramatic reductions that result in a larger tax burden, that will leave all of Bethel’s taxpayers in the lurch.
Additionally, Bethel’s upcoming $67 million school renovations project is closely tied to a state reimbursement grant, for which an application has already been filed. Should it not be approved, the reshuffling of this project could start a domino effect, further compromising not only the status quo, but future school projects for years to come.

One would think that a state capitol swarming with Democrats could figure out a way to minimize potential damage to its communities. The way things are structured now, there’s no accountability at all for school performance. Therefore, a vibrant, successful school district like Bethel’s is denied funding, while a less meritorious but more needy system receives extra dollars.

The taxpayers of Bethel simply cannot shoulder the heavy load of bailing out deeply troubled cities whose issues run deeper than the need for additional educational funding. The state of Connecticut needs to redirect these precious dollars to the conscientious communities, like Bethel, which are on a positive trajectory, and, will surely suffer a crippling blow if things go as projected.

Governor Malloy has said he wanted to be known as the “Education Governor.” Well, I’m certainly getting an education. I’m learning that the only way for a town to get adequate funding from the state is to make sure they mishandle their funds and operate as inefficiently as possible. If you are offering quality education, you'd better keep it to yourself. If anyone finds out, you will suffer the consequences

The governor needs to take his focus off the casinos and sin taxes and get the unions and teachers back to the table to discuss salaries and pensions. Sign the Emergency Certification now, so that our town does not have to begin dissembling our school system brick by brick until you figure everything out.

Cynthia J. McCorkindale, an Independent, is a member of the Bethel Board of Finance and a First Selectman candidate.