Dear Editor,
I have been a resident of Monroe for 18 years. My children are no longer in the Monroe Public Schools, so I am not writing from the perspective of a parent seeking something for my own family. I am writing as a resident who cares about the long-term health and reputation of this town.
Over the years, like many parents, I have not agreed with every decision made by the school system. There were times when I questioned choices that affected my own children. That is part of being an engaged community member. But today my perspective is broader.
Today I am speaking for the future of Monroe itself.
My husband and I chose Monroe very intentionally. We were drawn to the less congested environment, the parks and open space, the small-town character, and most importantly, the strength of the school system. At the time, Monroe represented something many families seek: strong schools, a safe community, and a quality of life that offered more value than neighboring towns like Westport or Easton.
But warning signs have been visible for several years.
Masuk High School, once ranked among the top 20 high schools in Connecticut by U.S. News & World Report, now sits at number 56. Rankings are not everything, but they are indicators. They reflect trends that families, real estate agents, and prospective homebuyers pay attention to when deciding where to invest their lives and their savings.
Against this backdrop, the First Selectman has proposed cutting $1.6 million from the Board of Education budget.
Residents should ask a straightforward question: what exactly are we gaining from that cut?
Do we know?
Will it meaningfully reduce the cost of groceries? Will it lower electric bills or heating costs? Will it offset the national inflationary pressures that households across the country are struggling with?
Of course it will not.
The rising cost of living is a national economic reality affecting every community. Reducing Monroe’s education budget by $1.6 million will not materially improve anyone’s household finances.
What it will do is weaken one of the few foundational assets this town depends on.
Monroe does not have a major commercial corridor, a thriving downtown, or large employers driving consistent economic growth. Communities like ours rely heavily on the reputation and strength of their schools to attract families, support property values, and sustain long-term stability.
Strong schools are not just one part of Monroe’s identity. In many ways, they are Monroe’s identity. They are one of the primary reasons families choose to move here and one of the most important factors sustaining our community’s long-term vitality.
If we further weaken that foundation, we are not simply adjusting a budget line. We are altering the very thing that has defined this town for decades.
If my husband and I were making the decision about where to raise our family today, we would not move here.
That is not something I say lightly after nearly two decades in this community.
Residents deserve to understand the trade-off being proposed. A cut of this magnitude will not solve the economic pressures people are facing. But it could erode one of the most important pillars supporting Monroe’s future.
Strong schools are not simply an expense.
They are an investment in the stability, reputation, and long-term vitality of the town itself.
Sincerely,
Elisabeth Medaris
Monroe Resident
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