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

David Campo
From: Linda Brailey <teacher2_greatneck@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2020 4:09 PM
To: David Campo
Subject: Public Comment
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May 13, 2020
Dear Members of the RTM,
lam writing to you as a taxpayer. | listened to your debate about the BOE budget with great dismay. | urge you
to reconsider your reduction of the BOE budget. | am speaking up for the most precious citizens of Waterford,
our children. Many of you stated that you are speaking for the taxpayers. | must speak for our students. They
are experiencing so many uncertainties with this pandemic. | am horrified that the RTM would add to those
uncertainties by proposing such a large reduction to the BOE budget. | have sat through years of budget
hearings, BOE meetings, BOF budget meetings, and RTM budget meetings. Mr. Giard could not come out and
say it, but through my experience from attending all those meetings, a reduction the size of $470,000 can only
be accomplished by eliminating programs and personnel. All the things that make Waterford schools
outstanding will be affected. My greatest concern is for our youngest students. When cuts get made, the
majority happen at the elementary level. Class sizes increase which results in students’ specific needs not
being fully met. You will greatly diminish the academic program by making this reduction. Now is the time to
take care of our students. The BOE budget is for human beings ranging in age from 3 years old to 21 years
old. Whether or not Waterford businesses open soon or have to wait, the children of Waterford will need to be
educated. They will need to know there is one certain thing in their lives when so many other things are not
certain.
Please reconsider your reduction to the BOE budget. | look forward to hearing your discussion on Thursday
night.
Sincerely,
Linda Brailey
54 Windward Way
GO:S Hd CL A