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Not a Wise Time

I am encouraging Madison’s taxpayers to consider voting “No” on the Sept. 26 referendum to demolish and rebuild Ryerson Elementary School for $34,284,000. The overall projection for the school facility projects total $65,800,000, the second half of the funding going to referendum in 2019.

This is not a fiscally wise time for such a project. We can’t expect the state to reimburse Madison for $4 million, as suggested by the plan, since the state cannot even plan its own budget this year. The state is cutting funding to Madison every year, while we are expecting the state to increase the town’s burdens to cover a portion, if not all, of the teacher’s pensions, emergency coverage of Hammonasset, and special education. Several businesses are leaving Connecticut every year due to the unfriendly economic climate. This removes salary earning taxpayers, resulting in more tax burdens on the residents remaining. Many town board members say our residents can afford the taxes associated with this project as older debt is paid off. However, this project will increase the debt for a few years, increase the taxes and affect the affordability of living in Madison.

My question is: Why not give the taxpayers a break, when new burdens are placed on them by the state, by letting the debt go down?

The costs of education increase, students decrease, the administration costs skyrocket, and the experience of students and parents do not improve. Money should be more directly spent on the students and teachers, not toward a large debt for facilities.

New roofs, boilers, electrical systems for air quality, and a secure exterior and entrance on Ryerson can be made more affordable. I encourage your readers to vote “No” on the Sept. 26 referendum.

Jennifer Tung

Madison

Jennifer Tung serves on the Board of Finance.