School Budget Cuts: Parent Input Encouraged

 PTO members and parents throughout Danbury are reeling from the shock of the proposed list of drastic budget cuts.  The Board of Education had requested a $4 million increase and instead was awarded an increase of only $1 million by Mayor Mark Boughton. PTO members will ask parents to get involved in restoring some of these cuts and helping their schools.

William Glass, Ph.D., Deputy Superintendent of Danbury Public Schools, listed the kinds of cuts that might be forced upon the Danbury Schools should the budget go unchallenged.

“How do we do the right thing for our children? This is major. We are looking at devastating cuts and everyone is in shock, people are leaving notes and calling in,” Glass said.

 These are recommended cuts that have been suggested, but are not written in stone.

The elimination of:

Full day kindergarten

French in the middle schools

Technology in the middle schools

Administration for REACH, a program for expelled students to give them another learning environment.

Administration from fine and applied arts, music and business education, technology education, physical education and health.

1. A School Psychologist

2. Four teachers at the high school

1 Elementary art or music teacher

.6 Special Education teacher at the high school

1 Middle school and 1 high school guidance counselor

2 Secretaries

4 paraprofessionals

4 Special Ed tutors

 The text book budget could go from $250,000.00 to $50,000.00

Staff Development budget would go from $130,000.00 to $34,000.00

“When it comes before the board next Wednesday, things may change. Everything was on the table, and this is what seemed to impact the schools the least. It is something we will have to deliberate and we will discuss it with the community next Wednesday, then the board will come back with a final solution,” said Board Member Richard Janelli.

 “It is so important to understand, this is what has been suggested, nothing is written in stone, every item is food for thought. Cuts like these frightens people and can create tremendous panic, and at this point it is a conversation,” Janelli said.

“By making these cuts our children suffer. How can they continue their success when the tools, guidance and instruction are to be minimized. Parents need to come out and make a statement- let those who work the numbers hear our plea that we value what goes on in our schools,” said Stadley Rough Elementary School PTO President Patty Allesandro. stressed the importance of parent involvement in these decisions.

“This school system is of the parents, we welcome public opinion, it is their school and they should have a voice in it. The public's input is important; that is what makes a strong community. Ultimately, it is up to the board to make the final decision, and we will have to make the best cuts with the least damage. No matter what happens, it will have an impact on Danbury schools,” Janelli said.

Cheryl Kunst, Danbury High School PTO Committee, said, “At a time when it is more important than ever to prepare all of our children to live and thrive in a global economy, continuing to make devastating cuts to our local and state education budgets makes absolutely no sense.”

Schools Superintendent Sal Pascarella, Ph.D., said, “We have looked at the options, and there is nothing solid at this point. It can change as it has in the past. Everyone is faced with a lot of uncertainty. We have to be collaborative, we have to continue to look to at this as doing the best we can for students, with the least chaos.”