Like many school districts across the state, Bethel faces fiscal challenges. Earlier this year, the town’s Board of Selectmen reduced the superintendent’s proposed education budget by a half-million dollars. The Board of Finance cut an additional $750,000.
Those and any additional cuts would mean
- The loss of classroom teachers
- Larger class sizes
- The reduction or elimination of freshman sports
- Cuts to art and music programs
- Diminished mental health services for students
“We have excellent schools in Bethel, and we want to keep it that way,” said Bethel Education Association President Al Robinson, adding, “With the lowest per-pupil spending of 26 comparable towns, we’re already operating on a lean budget, and more cuts will mean a serious reduction in services to our students. Budget cuts are short-term solutions with long-term consequences.”
Knowing their community wouldn’t want these kinds of losses, BEA mobilized to get their message out.
BEA President Al Robinson explains how further budget cuts would harm Bethel schools.
Showing up for students
“We reached out to members, parents, and town residents and asked them to speak up at a Board of Finance public hearing in late March,” says BEA Vice President Irene Drake, a Bethel teacher and parent. “We have a really strong education system here, and what I want everyone to understand is that it’s an investment—and our kids are worth the investment.”
The hearing ran for more than two-and-a-half hours, and an estimated 400 people, including scores of Bethel teachers, turned out. Fifty speakers approached the mic and urged officials to recommend a budget that fully funds the school board’s request.
“We’re appreciative of everybody who came out,” said Board of Finance Chair Nicholas Ellis. “And we heard you.”
Swayed by the public’s call to support Bethel schools, the Board of Finance agreed to restore $250,000 to the education budget.
“Rarely does a board of finance put back money it has voted to cut,” said CEA UniServ Representative Tom Kennedy. “That’s proof of the power of organizing and teacher voice.”
“Although the cuts are still quite significant, this change means some critical staff reductions have been avoided,” Robinson said.
CEA President Kate Dias urges Bethel educators to keep fighting for the budget their students need.
Not over yet
While the budget gap was narrowed, the fight wasn’t over. Bethel residents would next need to decide whether to proceed with the amended budget or make additional cuts. That decision would come at an April 2 town meeting, where the public was again invited to comment before a decision was made.
“We did phone banking and texting, reaching out to voters who hadn’t participated in the last two referenda,” said CEA Political Affairs Coordinator Gus Melita, explaining that voter turnout in Bethel has been historically low, at less than 10%.
Educators held a rally ahead of the packed town meeting. They were joined by the Bethel PTO as well as members of other staff unions, including paraeducators, secretaries, and custodians, all chanting, “1-2-3-4, student growth is at our core, 5-6-7-8, Bethel schools are really great!”
Leading off the rally, CEA President Kate Dias emphasized, “An investment in education is something these children deserve, the community deserves, and our entire society deserves.
Decisions we make today have long-term impacts. These are not just dollars being cut; these are opportunities. A community like Bethel has incredible resources, and we must be vocal about what our students need. Our proud, productive public schools are more important than ever, they’re worth fighting for, and I’m thrilled to fight alongside you.”
Several parents spoke at the meeting in favor of a budget that supports students. Adding her voice to the mix was student Kara Rondano.
“I wanted to speak on behalf of the students in this district,” she said. “Picture a Venn diagram with students in one circle and people who can vote in the other. I’m in that overlapping part—students who can vote—and it’s a very small demographic. So many of my classmates, who are old enough to be passionate about their education and care deeply about it, are not old enough to vote. Please vote for the budget that’s best for them.”
Teacher turnout at public meetings has been instrumental in holding a budget without further reductions—and even restoring funding that was cut.
Residents overwhelmingly decided to hold the budget with no further reductions. In a ballot referendum scheduled for April 22, voters will decide whether the budget passes. With help from CEA, BEA sent postcards urging them to vote ‘yes.’
“We have an opportunity to pass a budget that does better to support our students, teachers, and schools,” says Robinson. “I’m hopeful, but it can happen only if people come out and vote.”
You Got This; We Got You!
Bethel is not alone in battling budget cuts. If your local association faces a similar situation or hopes to prevent one, contact your local CEA UniServ Rep. (Find your rep here.) Together with CEA’s Political Affairs and Communications staff and organizers, reps can help coordinate campaigns that galvanize public support for needed school funding, staffing, and more.
