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04/05/2023 02:11 PMAs a Clinton resident, mother, and educator, I am shocked at the proposed cut to the Board of Education (BOE) budget by $350,000.
The BOE presented a budget that was not only in step with neighboring districts but within the Town Council’s own request of a 2.5% increase. Neighboring shoreline councils supported education budgets, in some instances doubling that of Clinton’s, including Madison, Guilford, Old Saybrook, and Killingworth. Clinton’s Board of Education’s proposed budget increase of 2.5% was unanimously approved by the BOE. This town’s council members then slashed that down to 2%, ensuring that Clinton’s school district cannot keep pace with inflation, let alone stem the damage caused by the pandemic.
As it stands, Clinton Public Schools rank in the bottom 50% of schools in Connecticut, while towns like Madison, Guilford, and East Lyme rank in the top 20. We are surpassed by schools on the shoreline in almost every regard. According to Edsight data, districtwide Smarter Balanced student math proficiency rates dropped about 13.5% from the 2018-'19 school year to the 2021-'22 school year and ELA proficiency rates dropped about 17% at Jared Eliot, while Joel showed no growth. GreatSchools details that our youngest students at Joel are feeling the harshest effects, are making less academic progress, and are below the top-performing schools in the state. Yet, our elected Town Council denies our schools the funding that they desperately need.
It is very apparent to the residents of this town, especially those who have school-aged children, that members of the Town Council are tone-deaf to the educational needs of its children and this town’s future. I am strongly urging the Clinton Town Council to reconsider their Board of Education budget cuts and to give the Clinton Public School District the respect and resources they are worthy of.
Cinzia S. Lettieri
Clinton