Community Pleads to Save Programs

Caitlin Emro, a member of Norwalk High's Class of 2006, told the Board of Education that proposed cuts in the School to Career programs at NHS and Brien McMahon would deny high schoolers an opportunity to explore careers.

Emro, who recently graduated from Clarkson University with a degree in biology, said job shadowing at Norwalk Hospital sparked her interest in science. "It gave me a unique opportunity and that extra push helps," she said. Colleges and employers look to see where students have interned, she said. Emro said her brother who wants to become a chef would benefit from the porgram.

She was one of several community members who spoke at Tuesday evening's Board of Education meeting, where Superintendent Susan Marks presented her proposed budget for the 2011-12 school year. A first grade teacher at Rowayton Elementary School spoke about the importance of aides in her classroom, and parents of students in the joint high school swim team suggested a "pay to play" activities fee be levied on athletes and musicians to help fund those programs. First grade aides as well as the swim team are on the chopping block in the budget plan.

Lynne Moore, principal of West Rocks Middle School, who said the cuts would be "devastating" called on city officials and residents to support education by raising taxes. Lynn Massey, president of the Brien McMahon parents club, said union members, including teachers and administrators, should reopen their contracts and forgo salary increases.

Marks' $155 million budget reflects a 3.3 percent increase over last year's budget. But because of negotiated increases in salaries and benefits, which make up 85 percent of the budget, no-growth budget would have had to increase more than 6 percent. The district is looking to eliminate positions and cut programs to make up the $4 million shortfall.

Marks said she had dreams when she arrived in Norwalk last summer as the new superintendent. "I wanted to take a good school system and make it great, but our renaissance won't start this year. It will have to wait."

Mayor Richard Moccia said other area towns are looking at school budget increases of 1 percent to 3 percent. "We are not in a unique situation," he said.

School board member Jody Bishop Pullan said she would not support the budget in its current form. "We should be advocating for what we need, not this," she said.

The PTO Council is holding a budget workshop at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the McCarthy Room of City Hill, where parents can ask school and city leaders questions about the budget. The school board's finance committee will hold a budget session at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Concert Hall in City Hall.