As a parent and, hopefully, a reasonable person that won't change their views as time passes by, it was difficult to listen to the Board of Selectmen last night. We know this is a difficult time financially for Ridgefielders. We know that it is difficult to predict what tomorrow brings. We also know that virus or not, each year we have those that throw rocks at the School Budget. It gets brushed under the carpet that Ridgefield spends less per student than every other town in DRG A. It gets brushed under the carpet that frequently, the schools have a surplus from the Budget that goes back to the town -our currently large Town Surplus which is being held onto with a death grip – even when we have a crisis. It gets brushed under the carpet that a big reason that the school Budget grows is because of healthcare insurance increases (a problem everyone suffers with) – not because of irresponsible spending or small teacher raises.
Once again, our town takes surveys or asks for feedback from its residents and then ignores it. Why do we re-elect any of our officials? After the Selectman got feedback that essentially supported the School Budget that the School Board presented, Selectman Bob Hebert said the “silent majority” is not in support of the School Budget. We don't know what the Silent Majority thinks - it's silent! It's disappointing that he sways the other Selectman with such a misleading statement. It's disappointing when those that raised their families here no longer care about the schools once their kids grow up. I moved here because Ridgefield is a great town to raise a family in and has a good school system. Families are the life blood of this town. The Selectmen should not forget that. Yes, this is a time of uncertainty – we are uncertain where our tax revenue will be next year and uncertain what kind of class sizes and social-distancing we will need in our schools this Fall. It is difficult to make decisions with a blindfold on so the easier choice is to be ultra-conservative – but that may not be the best choice.
Our children are being left with incredible challenges. The environmental challenges might be insurmountable. The financial hole we are digging as a nation might not be able to be climbed out of. The Coronavirus is disrupting their world - let's not short-change their education. We need them to have the tools to do a better job with this planet than we have. Right now, they need to come first – and shouldn’t they always come first?
