Many thanks to Hamden Councilman Jim Pascarella for getting us acquainted with the true gravity of the town's financial situation. Without a miracle, the proposed 3.5% increase to the education budget (one of the lowest in the state) is going to have to be trimmed. (BTW - this number does not include any change in Wintergreen funding). It's inevitable without a gigantic ( 2-3 mill) tax increase, (which will never fly) because we have a shrinking grand list, lower revenues from slowed construction and home sales and a devistated pension fund, not to mention contractual, energy and healthcare increases.
His best advice: contact your state representatives and the Governor and ask them to not cut educational funding, special grants or PILOT reimbursements. We can probably hold the line on local spending, but not if our state funding for the school system or PILOT is reduced.
The fate of Wintergreen is still undecided. There are many options on the table and Supt. Rabinowitz is negotiating with all pertinent parties to find the best solution.
Our 4th Annual Summer Camp Fair is scheduled for Saturday, April 4. It's being organized by our VP Mary Clough and will be our largest to date. We'll be setting up in the Middle School Gym and Atrium. There will be at least 40 camps, day and overnight, for K-12. We'll need help to set up, manage and take down this event, so please let us know when you can pitch in.
Perhaps I'll see you around town at one of the following events this week:
Hamden Board of Ed Meeting
Tuesday, Feb 10, 7 PM
60 Putnam Street
Items of interest:
Superintendent’s Report on
1. Governor’s Budget
2. CMT/CAPT Assessment
3. Introduction of Interim Finance Director
************
"What's Brewing?" with State Representative Elizabeth Esty
Thursday, February 12
10am to noon, at the Giant View Café
3584 Whitney Ave., Hamden
(103rd District / Mt. Carmel / West Woods)
“What’s Brewing?” is an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and concerns with Elizabeth, ask her questions and get help. Elizabeth is particularly eager to hear your ideas about how to close Connecticut's budget gap and restart our economy.
Contact: Rep. Elizabeth Esty, 103rd District
Room 4037, LOB, Hartford, CT 06106-1591
800-842-8267 -- Office (Toll Free)
203-699-9621 – Home
http://www.elizabethesty.com/.
elizabeth.esty@cga.ct.gov
**************************
CT PTA Hot Topics Training - Nuts & Bolts of Educational Funding
Thursday, February 12, 7 PM
With CT Appleseed at Hamden High School
Snacks & babysitting provided
Free and open to the public
Thanks for all you do,
Marjorie
Monday, February 9, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Federal Education Funding Under Attack
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a call to arms.
I was alerted by Supt. Rabinowitz's office, via the National School Boards Association, to call or email Sen. Lieberman's legislative assitant, Rachel, ASAP regarding educational funding in the stimulus package legislation currently before the Senate.
ACTION ON THIS AMENDMENT MAY BE TAKEN TODAY!
I urge you to call his office at 202-224-4815 or to email Rachel_Sotsky@Lieberman.Senate.Gov and ask the Senator not to support any reduction to the House's stimulus bill on education funding. Please forward with abandon and ask people to personalize.
Here's what I wrote:
Dear Rachel,
I’d really like to understand how Sen. Lieberman can, in good conscience, support the Collins/Nelson amendment, which would drastically reduce funding for education in the economic recovery package. It would eliminate the $15 billion Performance Incentive
Grants from the State Stabilization Fund, an additional $24.8 billion from the State Stabilization Fund, $6.75 billion from IDEA, $6.5 billion from Title I, and $50 million from the Teacher Quality State Grant program.
Title I and IDEA do create jobs in schools, as well as prevent people from losing jobs.
• The impact to Hamden would be devastating, as the majority of our schools receive Title 1 and IDEA funding. His support for the amendment will take important funding away from key K-12 education programs. Now is the time for increased federal investment to ensure that our schools can maintain the level of services needed for student achievement. The State is trying to close a billion dollar shortfall and local revenues for education are in a serious decline because of the recession (e.g. falling property values and assessments, declining sales tax receipts, etc.). We are counting on the Federal government to help the nation’s educational system weather this storm.
• Cutting funding in the stimulus is not the answer, especially when many school systems are trying to mitigate thousands of teacher/personnel lay-offs. The stimulus legislation is key to both job creation and to job retention, especially for the nation's school districts.
• The investments to education programs in the stimulus are critical and will help school districts continue the level of services for key education programs and federal mandates, such as special education, that are already underfunded.
Please ask the Senator, on behalf of myself, my family, and all of the children, families and businesses in Hamden, to OPPOSE the Collins/Nelson Amendment.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Marjorie Clark
And thank you for your attention and action.
A recap of our council meeting on 2/4/09 coming soon...
Marjorie
I was alerted by Supt. Rabinowitz's office, via the National School Boards Association, to call or email Sen. Lieberman's legislative assitant, Rachel, ASAP regarding educational funding in the stimulus package legislation currently before the Senate.
ACTION ON THIS AMENDMENT MAY BE TAKEN TODAY!
I urge you to call his office at 202-224-4815 or to email Rachel_Sotsky@Lieberman.Senate.Gov and ask the Senator not to support any reduction to the House's stimulus bill on education funding. Please forward with abandon and ask people to personalize.
Here's what I wrote:
Dear Rachel,
I’d really like to understand how Sen. Lieberman can, in good conscience, support the Collins/Nelson amendment, which would drastically reduce funding for education in the economic recovery package. It would eliminate the $15 billion Performance Incentive
Grants from the State Stabilization Fund, an additional $24.8 billion from the State Stabilization Fund, $6.75 billion from IDEA, $6.5 billion from Title I, and $50 million from the Teacher Quality State Grant program.
Title I and IDEA do create jobs in schools, as well as prevent people from losing jobs.
• The impact to Hamden would be devastating, as the majority of our schools receive Title 1 and IDEA funding. His support for the amendment will take important funding away from key K-12 education programs. Now is the time for increased federal investment to ensure that our schools can maintain the level of services needed for student achievement. The State is trying to close a billion dollar shortfall and local revenues for education are in a serious decline because of the recession (e.g. falling property values and assessments, declining sales tax receipts, etc.). We are counting on the Federal government to help the nation’s educational system weather this storm.
• Cutting funding in the stimulus is not the answer, especially when many school systems are trying to mitigate thousands of teacher/personnel lay-offs. The stimulus legislation is key to both job creation and to job retention, especially for the nation's school districts.
• The investments to education programs in the stimulus are critical and will help school districts continue the level of services for key education programs and federal mandates, such as special education, that are already underfunded.
Please ask the Senator, on behalf of myself, my family, and all of the children, families and businesses in Hamden, to OPPOSE the Collins/Nelson Amendment.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Marjorie Clark
And thank you for your attention and action.
A recap of our council meeting on 2/4/09 coming soon...
Marjorie
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