Town Budget Lost... again

COVENTRY -- Voters in a fourth referendum Tuesday rejected the $30.5 million proposed town budget, which would have cut some athletic and extracurricular activities at the high school and middle school.

The budget proposal failed by a vote of 1,309 to 1,054.

The board of education’s plan received its deepest cut prior to this referendum. The school budget was reduced by $192,750, including $4,000 eliminated from every school’s after-school activity funds.

With cuts that already have been made to textbooks and other supplies designed to provide differentiated instruction to students, parent Lisa Thomas said Tuesday she has been forced to find programs through Manchester Community College for her fifth-grade daughter.

“Do you know how behind this town is?” said Thomas, who voted for the proposed town budget. “There’s not enough staff here to support the differentiation of curriculum.” (source)

Well, if I had children going to school, I suppose I would move to a town that valued education. People just don’t understand how very important it is. I don’t know what is going to happen now. We will have another budget, but at this point, I think it’s getting so routine that people just don’t care. I would guess that many people with school-age children at home will move out.

Don’t get me wrong. I love Coventry. It’s out in the middle of nowhere. We have a very small town feel, but don’t have to go far to be in the city. We are able to have a nice home here and even the small town is very aware with the fact that many gay people live here. And we’ve really had no hassles (only one incident in the nine years we’ve lived here). And that incident was quickly dealt with.

Now I’m left wondering about other services, such as snow removal, etc.

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August 29, 2005 - Kent and I at least care about your Children’s Education