After attending the finance board meeting on 3/20/18, I would like to address the finance board to the issue regarding the board of education budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal year.
I am a life long resident of Southington. I am a parent of two children within the Southington school system. I am also a parent volunteer at Derynoski Elementary School. I have had the pleasure of volunteering in my childrens' classrooms for the last 7 years. I also volunteer in the school as a PTO board member. This volunteer time in the school has offered a perspective that not every parent, resident, or taxpayer may have. I would like to share my perspective with you.
Today's classroom within the Southington school district has many levels on which a teacher must instruct. There may be a child struggling, another student understanding but having difficulties, another student completing the work, and yet another who has mastered the skill and looking for more challenging lessons. That is 4 levels of instruction, 4 different lesson plans, and a teacher needing to help all of these students at the same time! Now, incorporate behavioral issues into this situation. The disruptions to lessons due to student behaviors is constant. Teachers need help! They need paraprofessionals. They need specialists. They can not do it all on their own with an over-crowded classroom due to constant budget cuts.
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As a concerned parent, I am asking you to do so. Please take the time to visit and see the challenges our teachers face each day. These teachers go above and beyond with their time, patience, dedication, and commitment to the children in our community. However, they can not possibly maintain the excellence we have known so far if all of their resources are constantly being taken