The room was packed with supporters of public education, as the BOF considered the recommendation from the Board of Selectmen to restore all but $50,0000 to the Woodbridge Board of Education's budget for 2007-08. Out of respect for the Board's time that night, only a handful of community members made public comments at the start of the meeting -- but they spoke powerfully in favor of returning funds to education.
There was lengthy discussion by BOF members, some of whom persist in their criticism of the school's new plans for technology spending. But the biggest concern still seems to be re-hashing the past -- and no amount of patient explanation by the current administration and technology staff of the school seems to sway the members who are determined to limit funding, and thereby impede progress in getting the school back up-to-speed after years of computer line item neglect.
At the end of the meeting it came down to a vote that deadlocked 3-3 with Democrats Laurence Grotheer and Tony Schaffer together with unaffiliated Board Chairman Matt Giglietti in favor of restoring $76,000 to the Beecher budget, and Republicans Janet Barilarri, George Giering, and Michael Luther against. Then in a dramatic turn, Democratic First Selectman Ed Sheehy broke the tie with his vote in favor of restoring funds.
While this does not represent 100% funding of what the Board of Education had requested, as a vote of confidence in the new direction at Beecher Road School, this meeting -- coupled with very positive words and action by the Selectman and the much greater than usual turnout at the Preliminary Budget Hearing -- makes clear that the community is coming together in support of public education.
Onwards and upwards!
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