To the Editor,
First, I want to thank the Monroe Sun for the work you do covering the issues that matter most to our community. Local journalism is not easy, and Monroe is fortunate to have a publication that consistently shines a light on important conversations like the one we’re having about our schools.
My wife and I chose Monroe 13 years ago because of its reputation for strong schools. That decision came long before we had a child of our own — and even before we knew if we would. The educators, staff, and administrators who built that reputation are the reason families like ours chose to move here and invest in this town.
Today, many of those same people are facing the possibility that their jobs — and the programs they support — may soon be on the chopping block.
These are not abstract line items in a budget. They are our neighbors, our friends, and the people entrusted with educating our children. They are also the torchbearers for the single most important asset our town offers to families considering Monroe as their home.
This is not a political issue for me. I have been a registered Republican my entire adult life, and I have voted that way consistently since moving here. But this issue goes beyond party. It is about the future of our town and the people who have worked tirelessly to build the school system we all benefit from.
I understand that every penny matters. It certainly matters to my family. But if maintaining the quality of Monroe’s schools means that each of us pays a little more each year, then that is a cost I am willing to bear. To me, that is simply the price of living in a town that values the things that made it great in the first place.
I also understand that the challenges facing Monroe are not entirely local. State funding decisions have put enormous pressure on municipal budgets across Connecticut, and residents should absolutely make their voices heard in Hartford as well.
But I respectfully disagree with the policy decision to ask our superintendent to scale back his proposal before the town ever had the opportunity to weigh in. In a community that prides itself on its schools, that conversation deserves to happen in the open, with voters fully informed about what is at stake.
What worries me most is not disagreement — it is disengagement. The last budget referendum saw participation from only a small fraction of Monroe’s voters. Decisions this important should not be made with so few voices in the room.
It is also important to remember that a “no” vote on a budget does not automatically mean residents want deeper cuts. Sometimes it simply means people would like to see the town’s priorities arranged differently before approving it. That nuance is easy to lose in a referendum process, but it is an important part of how communities communicate with their leaders.
The truth is that the future of our town — in the form of our children, our educators, and the reputation of our schools — depends on more people paying attention and making their voices heard.
Whether you ultimately agree with me or not, I hope more residents take the time to learn about this issue and participate in the decisions that will shape Monroe for years to come.
Kevin Middendorf
All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.
