Michael E. Hahn, Chairman, Greenwich Republican Town Committee
The Greenwich Board of Education (BOE) has proposed increasing its budget from $235 million to $247 million — a $12 million, or 5.1% increase over last year. The Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) has asked the BOE — as we have all town departments — to identify 1–2% in efficiencies and bring the request down to $243 million, a still-substantial 3.5% increase, aligned with inflation. This is not a cut to last year’s funding — it’s a request to moderate the growth responsibly.
We’ve heard from residents across Greenwich — seniors on fixed incomes, young families, and working households — all echoing the same message: a 6% tax hike is too much. People support our schools, but they also want us to take a thoughtful approach to spending. We owe it to them to make careful, well-informed choices.
There’s been unnecessary fearmongering around the Advanced Learning Program (ALP), one of the most valued and effective programs in our district. Let us be clear: we are not proposing any reductions to ALP — in fact, we believe it should be expanded. Private conversations with BOE members and administrators confirm that ~ $4 million in savings have been identified without touching classroom programs, staffing, or student services. The goal is to protect what works — and streamline what doesn’t.
This $4 million reduction is a reasonable solution. It preserves everything that makes our schools and community excellent, while showing taxpayers that we are listening and leading with care. We can support education and practice prudent budgeting — and we believe Greenwich deserves both.
Michael E. Hahn, Chairman, Greenwich Republican Town Committee