Issue #21: There are clear, irrefutable violations of the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission rules and regulations occurring frequently from the Hebron school district.
Today, an email was sent out to targeted parents by a teacher, using municipal resources, on municipal time, in an effort to influence budgetary matters.
OK, so we let the targeted personal telephone calls going out to parents of incoming Kindergartners urging them to come to the BOE meeting to vote on the budget. We kinda let go an email sent out by the Administration, again to influence a Board of Finance meeting.
Today, the following email was sent out to targeted parents by a Hebron school teacher. Let us say up front: we support the Challenge & Enrichment program 100%. So it’s sad that this email went out today:
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"Never a letter I enjoy writing, but unfortunately, last year's battle to keep Challenge & Enrichment services in the budget was only the first step. Although a budget that includes C&E has already been voted upon and sent forward from the Board of Education, the Board of Finance has come back stating that they want to see what a 0% increase would look like instead. This means that they might vote down the current budget and cuts would have to be made. If that happens, I've already been informed that the Challenge & Enrichment program would be on the chopping block... again. [emphasis added to show legal violation]
At this point, what is needed is support for the budget AS IS, so that the Board of Finance & the Board of Selectmen hear the will of the community, and do not send it back to the Board of Education for modification. [emphasis added to show legal violation] I know that it's a stressful, economically unsure time for the community and for individuals, but I also know that without the support of the community, many programs- more than just C&E- will be lost. At the budget decrease the board is asking for, we will be facing a decrease of possibly 10 teachers, and/or programs. Nothing- music, art, library, classroom supplies, or class sizes, is safe. [emphasis added to show legal violation] Last year, Marlborough Elementary lost their C&E program, and they had a great deal of support. I hope ours is greater.
What is need now is for parents, community members, and friends to come to the Board of Finance/Board of Ed meetings on Thursdays, March 11th and March 18th, at Gilead Hill School, and urge them not to vote down the budget as it stands. [emphasis added toshow legal violation] Please spread the word, and bring your neighbors.
My greatest fear is that a vocal minority will defeat the will of the silent majority, and our school will suffer for it. [emphasis added to show legal violation] Please consider coming to one or both of these meetings to let your voice be heard.
Thank you,
Kate Maupin
Challenge & Enrichment"
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As a result of this email, I just sent the following email out to all elected officials, including members of the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Finance, and the Board of Education members for which I have email addresses, as well as to the Superintendent:
The email, verbatim, states:
The following email was sent out today to parents, using municipal resources, on work time. I received it via a parent who was upset about the exact same issue: using municipal resources to influence a budgetary outcome.
Believe me, I personally 100% support the C&E program, but the following clearly violates state election enforcement commission rules.
This needs to end NOW. Not tomorrow. NOW. I am 2 seconds away from filing a complaint with the state unless I have the personal assurance from all of you that these types of emails end effective immediately.
If we're going to revert to the days of "Silver Scare Tactics", then you give those of us trying to play fair NO choice in the matter.
Let's keep the debate on a civil, level playing field, folks, and let us ALL follow the rules and the laws. Otherwise, I will ask the state to intervene.
Sincerely, Donna J. McCalla