Important Town Council Public Hearing on the Budget.

Town Council Public Hearing on the Budget: March 27th at 7 PM, Groton Senior Center.

The Board of Education is requesting a 1.9% increase to the budget for 2014-2015.  Last year, the budget was increased by 1.4%, but that was after cuts were made to staff, student programs, classroom supplies and extra-curricular programs; cuts which directly impacted our children. Over the past five years, despite the rising costs, the budget has only increased an average of 0.58%, with a 0% increase three of those years. To the relief of many, this year’s budget has been prepared without layoffs, cuts to programs or increased class sizes.

Please consider speaking at the public hearing, asking the Town Council to approve the $1.4 million increase that the Groton Board of Education is requesting. The public hearing is an important opportunity for anyone in the community to share their opinions about the town and the education budget. It’s important that the Town Council hear the resounding voices of parents speaking in support of Groton Public Schools. If the Groton community has placed schools as a top priority of its economic development plans, we must support the schools if we are to continue to attract families and be first rate. Increased class sizes and the elimination of student programs will not attract families to Groton.

Your positive message will be effective. Tell them what our Groton schools provide that is important to you.  That you don’t want cuts to our programs or increased class sizes.  That you value the quality of education you have come to expect from Groton Public Schools.

If you would like to review the Board of Education budget documents, they are available on the Groton Public School website, http://www.groton.k12.ct.us/Page/13612

If you cannot attend the meeting, please consider letting your voice be heard by writing letters to Town Council members (http://www.groton-ct.gov/town_gov/docs/TownCouncilors.pdf).

Whatever message you have to share, You Can Make a Difference!  Please ask our Town Council to Approve the Board of Education budget as proposed for the 2014-2015 school year. 

Respectfully,

Deborah Johnson