Make Your Voices Heard

Dear Friends of the Tolland DTC,

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the alarming trend of defunding our public schools in Tolland over the past 11 years. The members of the Tolland Democratic Town Committee urge you to take urgent action to address this critical issue.

Over the past 11 years, the average increase in funding for our public schools has been a mere 1.7%, resulting in significant challenges for our educational system. Furthermore, the Board of Education has been forced to allocate funds to pay off debt, totaling $6.5 million over the last decade, further straining our operating budget.

The consequences of this chronic underfunding are becoming increasingly apparent. Intervention rates, particularly in the younger grades, have skyrocketed, indicating a pressing need for additional support and resources. Additionally, there has been a concerning rise in anxiety among students, particularly in the younger grades, highlighting the importance of investing in mental health and wellness programs within our schools.

Furthermore, there is a real possibility of further cuts to essential programs, such as computer education in middle school and language sections, with the potential removal of language education from the middle school curriculum altogether. These cuts would have detrimental effects on our students' academic and personal development, limiting their opportunities for success in an increasingly interconnected world.

As engaged members of our community, it is imperative that we prioritize the well-being and future success of our students by advocating for adequate funding for our public schools. The town is very healthy financially and using some money from the various town funds ensures there is a path forward that benefits everyone in town. I urge you to write in to the Town Council and speak during the public participation portion of Tuesdays Town Council Meeting. The time for action is now, Make your voices heard.

In the spirit of bipartisanship, your Tolland Democrats call for the backing of the budget passed by the Republican Board of Ed. Write into Town Council at towncouncil@tolland.gov, or go to the public hearing tomorrow night. The Tolland Democrats are grateful for the leadership and bipartisanship of the Board of Education Chair and Vice Chair. The Democratic members of the BOE have publicly supported the budget, even though it did not cover as many services as they would have liked. Let’s come together as a community to do what is best for Tolland.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your continued support in addressing the funding challenges facing our public schools in Tolland.

Sincerely,

Cristopher Jimenez

Chair, Tolland Democratic Town Committee