Community Update

I'm urging you to do something today I never thought I would be in favor of.&nbsp; Something that admittedly could make things worse, not better.&nbsp; Something that I have argued strenuously against doing in the past.&nbsp; But frankly, I think we as parents have no other option.&nbsp; So I am asking you to vote <B>No </B>on the current budget referendum.<BR><BR>I have heard (and made) all the arguments for why a No vote never works.&nbsp; Traditionally the Vernon Town Council reacts to a No vote by cutting the budget instead of raising it.&nbsp; The fact is though that this current budget proposal is so overwhlemingly damaging to our school system that voting Yes could do more harm than good.&nbsp; The impact of the cuts already made and the new cuts the Council passed Monday means our educational system and our children will suffer the impact.&nbsp; There will be staffing reductions.&nbsp; There will be class size increases.&nbsp; The technology gap will continue to increase, and our status as a bottom 30 school will only be solidified.&nbsp; Parents will flock in even greater numbers to send their kids to magnet schools, further draining our local budget and schools.&nbsp; There were actual cheers this year at Center Road when people found out their child was accepted to something other than the Vernon School System.<BR><BR>I have come to the realization however that a No vote can work if the people are strong enough in their resolve.&nbsp; It requires us to stand united as a voting block much the way other blocks of voters in this town have long dominated the budget landscape.&nbsp; It requires us to vote <B>No </B>repeatedly until those who make the budget actually listen.&nbsp; It requires us to be, frankly, pains in the ass.<BR><BR>The Mayor said in recent comments that the message from the last referendum was clear and that the budget should be cut.&nbsp; I question his math.&nbsp; In the exit surveys 40% wanted more cuts to the school budget.&nbsp; 40% wanted more money for the school budget.&nbsp; And 20% thought it was just fine the way it was.&nbsp; I may not have done great at math when I went to RHS, but I see 60% think it is fine as is or want more money vs. 40% who want it cut.&nbsp; Hardly the clear message the Mayor and some Republican members of the Council seem to want to see.<BR><BR>So I am joining Mr. Percy in calling for parents to vote No to this budget, and any budget which does not fund our school systems at the levels required for our children to get a quality education.&nbsp; But if we start down this path be ready... we must be willing to continue to drive the <B>No </B>vote until we get what we actually desire.&nbsp; I understand some of my fellow parents and Democrats will be upset with me for taking this stance, but at the end of the day I am tired of the implicit threat that if we vote No it only gets worse.&nbsp; So Vote No... until it's time to vote Yes.