Kathryn Russell
Sep 22, 2023
READING, WRITING AND THE COST OF EDUCATION IN DEEP RIVER
Hello!
When I started thinking about the issues facing Deep River, the big elephant in the room was how high our taxes are compared with the neighboring towns of Essex and Chester. In this year’s annual Town budget, the cost of education is 69% of the total budget, not leaving much funding for other municipal needs or initiatives.
As I began asking Deep River residents “What’s On Your Mind?” the top response has been high property taxes. I initially thought that speaking about the Elementary School and the concept of possible regionalization would be like stepping on the third rail and my prospect of becoming Deep River’s First Selectwoman would vaporize.
What has surprised me is that as I go door knocking, the subject of the cost of education in Deep River, and the concept of regionalizing the elementary school has been brought up by voters across the age range. Parents with children in the Elementary School as well as older residents have initiated the conversation of regionalizing the elementary schools.
What is my personal point of view? I think that we have to very seriously look at the cost of continuing to provide elementary education the way we are now in Deep River. The elementary school age population has significantly declined over the past decade. Current class sizes are small, more like a private school than a public school. The building is being utilized at a 50% capacity. This is also true by the way, of our regional middle school and high school.
We need to work with the Elementary School Board of Education, with the Region 4 Superintendent, with our Board of Finance and with the full range of Deep River concerned residents to figure out how to provide quality education to our young students while not squeezing the lifeblood out of the Town budget and other possible Town priorities.
Is regionalization the answer? I don’t know yet, but I do know that we are long overdue to look at this issue from a clear-eyed financial perspective, considering all segments of Deep River’s population. As First Selectwoman, I will fully engage in this analysis and discussion.
Thank you for your continued interest and support of my campaign.
Warm regards,
Katie