“My daughters go to two different schools in town, and their teachers are here at 7:40 in the evening fighting for them,” said Canton resident, coach, and special education teacher Brian Mailman at a packed meeting of the town’s Board of Finance, where more than 60 educators and dozens of community members spoke out against budget cuts that would eliminate staff, programs, instructional supports and interventions such as after-school and summer academies, and resources ranging from Chromebooks to textbooks. “Our work doesn’t end when the school day ends, and I’m here fighting for our budget the way our teachers are fighting for our kids.”
At a townwide referendum earlier in May, residents rejected a school spending plan that had already been cut by the Board of Education. At the Board of Finance public hearing that followed on May 20, many voiced their belief that the majority of Canton residents—had they participated in the referendum—would have voted in favor of the school budget.
“Unfortunately,” says CEA Political Engagement Coordinator Gus Melita, “this is a scenario playing out in many towns across the state—places where residents favor a strong education budget but don’t realize, until it’s too late, that they have to come out and demonstrate that support at the voting booth.”
In Canton, the budget failed by 255 votes, with only 21 percent voter turnout.
EAC President Kristina Cimini addresses town officials.
Three alternatives
After the Board of Education’s original budget—representing an increase of 5.39 percent over last year—was rejected, Canton is considering one of three alternative plans: an increase of 4.99 percent, 4.5 percent, or 3.99 percent. While each of these plans would necessitate cuts to school staff, programs, and resources, Canton educators, parents, and supporters are pressing for the highest percent increase and, therefore, the fewest cuts.
“I don’t envy the position this board is in, with too few dollars chasing too many needs,” Education Association of Canton President Kristina Cimini acknowledged. “I appreciate the difficulty of the situation you’re in. But we know that further cuts to the budget, as presented, are going to impact students. They’re going to impact programs. We’re here to support our students, as we do every day, and we’re here to support our families in that same mission. We don’t think families want cuts to programs that make people excited to be part of their school and that enrich and enhance their lives.”
Canton parent and former public school teacher Leanne Mailman agreed.
“I’m concerned that the public may not fully grasp the severe crisis facing education today,” she said. “Multiple factors—such as the aftermath of the pandemic, lack of esteem, insufficient resources, challenging classroom behaviors, increasing demands and stress, and stagnant pay that fails to keep pace with the cost of living, especially here in Canton—are driving many educators to leave our schools, myself included, and deterring others from entering the profession. If we continue to make our teachers’ jobs more challenging, we risk losing them.”
She added, “We know firsthand the difference a good teacher can make. No one can deny how fortunate Canton is to have so many outstanding, talented teachers. But cuts to education directly exacerbate the difficulties teachers face. This is a disservice to the dedicated individuals who spend more waking hours with our children than anyone else. Our teachers need our support. We must collectively affirm our trust in them, acknowledge their needs, and stand by them by maintaining a robust education budget.”
Mailman pointed to research by the Learning Policy Institute and Economic Policy Institute showing that schools with better funding have 50 percent less teacher turnover, which correlates with improved student performance, and demonstrating that every dollar invested in public education returns $1.78 in long-term economic growth.
Rallying for more
“Our work doesn’t end when the school day ends,” said coach and teacher Brian Mailman. “I’m here fighting for our budget the way our teachers are fighting for our kids.”
At a rally held before the Board of Finance public hearing, teachers wore RedforEd and waved signs that read, “The Future of Canton Is in My Classroom.”
“We’re standing together collectively to do what’s best for Canton’s kids, and we’re hoping our Board of Finance does too,” said Cherry Brook Primary School teacher and building rep Carey Campbell.
“We’re looking for the least restrictive cuts and the best possible outcome for our students, staff, and community,” high school English teacher Leigh Connole explained.
“If the most severe cuts are made, it’s the students who will suffer,” said 23-year veteran biology teacher Jean Moran. “I worry that our students who need the most attention, those with special needs, are not going to get the services they need to be successful.”
“I have two daughters in fifth grade, and I’m here tonight because education is the heart and soul of our society,” said fellow Canton High School biology teacher Benn Gawitt (seen here in a video outside the Canton Community Center). “I think people forget what we went through four years ago, when we ‘re-appreciated’ teachers. Cutting budgets is the wrong thing to do. It’s not just about the teachers; it’s about experiences, it’s about the clubs, it’s about the after-school programs, and all the opportunities kids are not going to get. That’s what we’re talking about cutting. This is Canton, Connecticut. We are a shining star, not a place where we move backwards.”
“Not only do I teach here, but I moved here with my family so that my son could have the quality education Canton provides,” said math and science coordinator Kate Dauphinais. “We came from a town didn’t provide an education like this—they cut and cut and cut until there were no services left. Canton, by contrast, has always taken care of the whole child.”
Proud past, eyes on the future
Pointing out that Canton has a long tradition of supporting its education budget, grade 4-6 art teacher Deb Costello was surprised by this year’s vote.
“This is something new in my eyes,” she said. “I’m hoping that our being out here in our RedforEd raises some awareness in the community that we need their continued support. From the visual arts right down to classroom sizes, budget cuts impact our school programs and the success that’s possible for our students.”
“We want the best possible program for students, and we want to maintain our teaching staff, because we work really hard at hiring and keeping the best,” said EAC Treasurer and Membership Chair Marsha Jorgensen, a science teacher at Canton High School. “Anytime you’re cutting, that has an impact on children’s success in the classroom.”
Gifted and talented enrichment specialist Stevie Juliano agreed. “I’m here to help make sure all the needs of our students are met. With cuts, that won’t be easy to do.” She added, “I’m a graduate of Canton Public Schools, my mother was a Canton graduate, this is a special place, and I want to make sure it stays a special place for those students coming up.”
Indeed, rally participants included teachers who grew up in Canton, those raising their own children here, those who are new to the profession, as well as veterans and retirees.
Early career educator Erica Stephens and veteran teacher Marina Rinkus team up to ask for support for their school system.
“I’m at the end of my career,” said first-grade team leader Marina Rinkus, “but I’m here to protect my colleagues, our students, and our school system. This kind of budget cut has never happened here. This was a shock to us and to parents as well, many of whom said they didn’t come out to vote for the budget and are now realizing what a mistake that was.”
“I’m on the opposite side of my career,” said fellow first-grade teacher Erica Stephens, who is completing her second year of teaching. “I’m hoping we can continue to keep our class sizes small and offer the kind of education our students deserve.”
“I’m proud to say we have a great school system,” said CEA-Retired member Susanne Russell, who taught in the same town where she has lived for years. “But that doesn’t happen overnight.”
Retired teacher Eva Schilling, who taught in Southington before becoming Canton’s English department chair, “I am asking you, the Board of Finance, not to cut the budget deeply,” noting that the district has been without an English department chair for three years. “Our teachers are excellent—brilliant and passionate—and I know that not only as someone who worked in the system but whose children went through the system. An excellent school system not only attracts families but also businesses; it’s an investment to grow our grand list as we move forward.”
Retired elementary teacher Marianne Burbank, whose children also went through Canton schools, recalled that as a college student, her daughter had a professor hold up her paper as an exemplar, saying, “This is how you write a paper.”
“That’s thanks to these English teachers behind me,” said Burbank.
Middle school English teacher Elana Chavetz was among them.
“I’m here to raise awareness among those who maybe didn’t vote in the last referendum and to encourage them to come out in support of our schools,” she said.
Canton’s Board of Finance is expected to decide how they will change the budget before sending it back for a referendum in time for the July 1 start of the new fiscal year.
“A lot of school districts were caught off guard with insufficient budgets this year,” says Melita. “The key to avoiding that is to stay informed and play an active role in the budget creation process—which often starts months before a vote take place. That means attending board of ed meetings, partnering up with likeminded groups, like your PTO, and holding your elected officials accountable. Remind them that you not only teach, you also vote.”
