To the editor:
I would like to express my thanks on behalf of my members and myself to the voters at our local town meetings. We appreciate your support in our mission with the approval of the Berkshire Hills budget.
At my own town meeting the school budget debate is always the most contentious in terms of generating the most discussion. Understandably, some citizens wish for a district to slim its requests as we should always want the best value for our hard-earned money. Also understandably, public schools are tasked with educating the whole person, accepting all who enter their doors to find the course to become good, healthy, contributing members of our democratic society, ready to compete, collaborate and advance their unique skills and interests as they adapt to our rapidly changing world. So, with these goals as our primary focus, why can’t we simply cut the non-essentials?
23.2 percent of the families in the Berkshire Hills Regional School District are low income and this is on the rise. The fringe of the budget is often where each district’s most important support structures for students are funded. The arts, music, school adjustment counselor, guidance, youth liaison, speech language pathologist, etc., are outlets and needed assistance for our children as they develop into adults.
The aforementioned services are indeed essential for the growth and development of our students. Therefore, I encourage citizens to participate in the town meeting process and engage in the discussions which determine the budgets that reflect our values, responsibilities and priorities as we all contribute to the education of our next generation, essential for the continued progress of our communities, Commonwealth and country.
Steve Estelle
600 Stockbridge Rd.
Great Barrington , Mass.
The writer is president, Unit A Educators, Berkshire Hills Education Association.
