Letter To The Editor: Hartmann Supports Guilford Public Schools

Letter to the Editor:

Robert Hartmann Jr., met with a group of concerned parents to discuss concerns circulating that a First Selectman candidate was suggesting closure of an elementary school.

Hartmann is a supporter of the Guilford Public Schools. He and his five siblings all attended Guilford Schools and feel they all owe many of their successes to the excellent education received here.

Hartmann told the group that “One needs to understand how our government works if they hope to govern our town. He explained “By design, none of our elected officials can implement a personal agenda without the support and cooperation of many others.”

“In the case of the school system, neither the First Selectman nor the entire Board of Selectman (BOS) have any control over how our school system is operated or how its resources are allocated once a Budget is approved. Only the Board of Education (BOE) has that authority and it is vested in them by State statue, not our Town Charter. Closing a school is strictly an educational decision. If a First Selectman wanted to close a school, he or she simply would have no authority to do so.”

Hartmann noted “Even school facilities, while considered Town owned property, are operated and controlled by the BOE. The only role the BOS would have would be with respect to managing school construction projects, such as the new high school. Once the project is completed, the keys are essentially turned over to the BOE. “

When asked about student enrollment and whether decreased enrollment was driving any discussion. Hartmann responded, “As I’ve said before, that discussion would be something for the BOE to review. Based on recent meetings I have had with BOE members, enrollment is not down. In fact, it has remained steady and we have even seen some slight increases, especially at our new high school. There was a study done by the BOE a few years ago, that suggested enrollment would trend down, but that never occurred. I would like to see us ready for growth based on an improving economy. I think all this talk of a school closure may be politically motivated on a campaign trail, but in reality, I see it as nothing more than another empty promise.”

Hartmann closed the meeting by assuring all the parents that parents and the BOE could count on him to continue to support excellence in education. “Our school system goes to the heart of our culture and character. While it is inevitable budget cuts will have to be made due to state mismanagement, our education system is among Guilford’s top assets. We should do what we can to protect its high standards.”

Bruce Denison

Campaign Manager

Committee to Elect Robert J. Hartmann, Jr.