Submitted by Katherine McKersie, Cos Cob
To the Editor,
So many of us have been watching, reading and trying to understand the recent letters to this editor regarding the idea of an interim appropriation to restore monies to the GPS budget for busing. (If that is even the correct statement concerning what we are wondering about.)
In this past week, since the GPS Board of Education voted to adjust start times to secure a reduction of almost 2 million dollars from their FY ’25-’26 budget, many of us in the community have read letters, watched a BET budget meeting and tried to understand this sort of “May Madness;” watching hope bounce back and forth, up and down the court of public opinion. Brackets, anyone?
Here’s what concerns me most: In the flurry of hopes raised and dashed, raised and dashed again, people are feeling hurt and confused, a bit betrayed, even, all of which is unnecessary. On Monday, people asked if maybe there would be funds restored at the BET budget meeting. On Tuesday, they asked again, “Did it go through?” On Wednesday the letters started up again. Well as this letter indicates, there are many hopes but few facts, ideas and letters, little understanding.
What would bring our community closer together would be explanations and facts. Perhaps a town attorney could simply put out a statement of what is possible/not possible. Perhaps Chair Fisher and the entire BET and BOE could make a statement to that effect. Not in defense of a position, but simply to help all of us understand the intricacies, and to clear up the confusion.
I am not suggesting a right/wrong here, and this is not a letter placing blame.
My purpose is to urge town leaders to share with GPS families, teachers, staff, and the whole community of Greenwich what the facts are concerning any/all of possible appropriations. How does this potentially work? What are the timeframes? Next week? Next month? Next fiscal year?
Confused facts, and hopes dashed, is not helpful and hurts the entire community. We need to work together to help everyone understand and a clear, factual explanation is a good next step.
Respectfully submitted,
Katherine McKersie