Voting YES on June 25th

A reasoned plea from Tim Curtis, which underscores the need to get out the YES vote next Tuesday:

"
Next Tuesday, June 25, I encourage all Windsor taxpayers to take the time to go to the polls and vote YES for Windsor's budget.  This is our third try, and it should end here, so we can move on to support programs and services for our town and for our schools.A number of people have cited problems with the Board of Education as the reason to vote no on the budget.  Windsor does have a serious achievement gap issue that has shown no indication of improving, despite the best efforts of Boards and teachers over many years to correct the situation.  The intent of the equity study was to use a different set of eyes to assist the Board and school administration in dealing with the issue.  However, controversy erupted almost immediately because of the process that was used to hire the researcher.  And it became a budget issue due to the cost of the study, which many believed had to be paid by the Windsor taxpayers.  As it turns out, the cost was never part of the budget, and , moreover, the State was covering the full cost.  In any event, the study was terminated by the researcher after only one year, because of the highly charged political atmosphere it provoked.  At the BOE meeting last Tuesday evening, Board members on both sides of the aisle indicated it would still  be helpful to see the raw data gathered from year one of the study, even if the remaining two years of the study was cancelled.  So, it is clear that the Board is ready to move on, using the data from the study as a starting point.  We should be ready to move on, also.  This is no longer a money issue, not that it ever really was.  So, anyone who still uses the equity study as the reason to vote no on the budget is doing so solely to be punitive, to attack the actions of the Board President and the superintendent for reasons that have nothing to do with taxpayer money.The Town Council and the Board of Education have heard the voters.  Significant cuts have been made, with both bodies doing their best to maintain as many of the programs, services, staff, and teachers as possible.  The proposed budget increase is now 0.54%.  Yet there are those  who still intend to vote no, even after all of the reductions that have been made.  It is apparent that they do not want compromise.  They want it all, and on their terms.  I hope this point of view is in the minority.Windsor voters, join those of us who support the efforts of the Council and  Board, who support the many positives that are Windsor, and vote YES for Windsor on Tuesday, June 25."

Tim's message underscores an important point, which is that we need to make sure that as many of our affected friends and neighbors have their voices heard. Please do your part to get them to the polls on Tuesday. We need this budget to pass.