Submitted by Greenwich Board of Estimate and Taxation Democrats, Elliot Alchek, Matt DesChamps, Scott Kalb, Leslie Moriarty, Stephen Selbst and David Weisbrod
Greenwich prides itself on its public schools, a beacon that draws families and fosters a thriving community. Yet, a recent episode involving the town’s budget specifically, the Board of Estimate and Taxation, or BET suggests a worrying willingness to gamble with that reputation. What unfolded was not a responsible exercise in fiscal management, but a jarring display of political maneuvering that has left our educators and families needlessly anxious.
The saga began with a swift, seemingly arbitrary decision by Republican members of the BET to cut $4 million from the Board of Education’s budget. This was no nuanced adjustment; it was a blunt instrument applied without foresight or consultation, leaving the community to reckon with the fallout. The immediate consequence has been a chilling uncertainty among administrators and teachers about program viability and resource allocation. Parents, many of whom chose Greenwich for the promise of its excellent schools, have voiced understandable alarm. Indeed, the most painful reality has been the displacement of dedicated teachers, many of them Greenwich residents, who now find themselves without jobs.
Then, after the damage was done, came a partial olive branch: an ill-conceived public LTE offering to restore a mere $1.9 million, specifically earmarked for school start times. While maintaining a schedule that works for families is laudable, the optics of this gesture are deeply troubling. It raises the question: why inflict a substantial wound only to offer a partial bandage for a single symptom? Are other vital aspects of our children’s education – smaller class sizes, robust extra-curriculars, essential support services –– deemed less worthy of full restoration?
This approach feels less like responsible governance and more like a calculated political game. It forces our community into a false choice, pitting the importance of school schedules against other fundamental educational necessities. It implies a willingness to sacrifice broadly and then selectively offer relief, perhaps to quiet the loudest concerns rather than address the systemic issues.
Our children’s education is not a bargaining chip to be played in a political arena. It is a foundational investment in the future of our town, a cornerstone of its appeal. A $4 million cut is not a minor trim; it carries tangible consequences that resonate in every classroom. To then offer half that amount with potential strings attached feels disingenuous. Furthermore, it is important to remember that the BET is not empowered to micromanage the operational specifics of how our schools deliver education. Its role is to set overall allocations, not dictate line items.
Greenwich deserves a budget process that is transparent, strategic, and genuinely committed to providing the best possible education for its students. We need leaders who will prioritize the long-term health of our schools over short-sighted cuts and piecemeal solutions. True restoration demands more than a symbolic gesture; it requires a full accounting of the damage done and an unwavering commitment to fully reinvesting in the future of Greenwich’s children.
As Democratic members of the BET, we have consistently advocated for thoughtful budget scrutiny, supporting cuts of approximately $1 million where analysis has demonstrated legitimate efficiencies. We will continue to champion a fact-based approach, encouraging efforts to reduce non-core expenditures. While we welcome any belated recognition of the harm caused, it is clear that a far more comprehensive commitment is needed.
The path forward for Greenwich must be guided by facts, vision, and competence, always with the educational well-being of our students at its core.
Your Democratic BET Members,
Elliot Alchek
Matt DesChamps
Scott Kalb
Leslie Moriarty
Stephen Selbst
David Weisbrod