Representative Town Meeting Annual Budget Meeting Materials - Day 4 (linked)

David Campo
From: Megan Nelson <mesweeney81@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 2:47 PM
To: David Campo
Subject: RTM and the BOE Budget
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Dear Mr. Campo,
I would like to start by thanking the members of the RTM for the time they have put into researching the
budget. I am writing to you as a Waterford resident and parent of a daughter who is enrolled in the Pre-K
program at Oswegatchie Elementary School. My husband and I bought a house in Waterford 6 years ago
knowing we wanted the best well-rounded education for our future children. Many of our United States Coast
Guard Band colleagues have also moved their families to Waterford and have an invested interest in the arts;
specifically, the Waterford Music Department which is currently one of the top programs in the state.
I watched the RTM Meeting on May 11, 2020. I ask you to consider the following:
1. There would be no tax increase with no cuts to the initial budget proposal.
2. Number 1 above is especially meaningful since there are many uncertainties in the world today.
3. There was no real justification for that large of a number.
4, A cut of $470k will result in job and program loss.
I speak to my elementary school students daily. They express to me that they "miss hearing the band together"
and "miss playing their instruments alongside their friends." They were heartbroken to miss their jazz and
spring concerts. Music, and other extracurriculars, is often what makes students excited about school and
learning. These programs provide the opportunity for our students to be a part of something great. It is clear that
the social and emotional health of our children is and will continue to be at the forefront of their needs. With a
cut of this magnitude, the first programs to be considered will be those programs that offer the most social
emotional health to our student population.
In addition to my daughter being accepted into the Oswegatchie Pre-K program, she was accepted into a local
magnet school. A few months ago, the decision to choose Waterford was easy. I am disheartened that the RTM
approved such a large cut at this stage in the budget process.
I Jook forward to hearing your discussion. I certainly hope this cut is reconsidered for our children's sake;
: nS i
Sincerely,
Megan Nelson
12 Best View Road
Quaker Hill, CT 06375