Students and residents urge council to restore school funding amid rising class sizes

During the public participation period at the Oct. 28 meeting, several residents and a student urged the Town Council to prioritize school funding and expressed concern about the effects of repeated budget cuts.

A student who identified themselves as a junior said class sizes and program availability have deteriorated over the past several years and warned that continued cuts could prevent students from getting required classes and services. Other callers said fewer nurses and reduced paraprofessional staffing increase risks and lengthen wait times for students with health issues.

Some residents acknowledged that council votes reflect townwide choices but urged elected officials to seek ways to protect classroom services. At least one commenter suggested targeted measures to assist the lowest-income families and proposed retroactive application of increases within relief programs to help struggling seniors while preserving fairness for working families.

These comments were delivered during the two-minute public-comment slots and during the public hearing on the tax-relief ordinance; the council did not take immediate action on the requests but members referenced ongoing budget work and pledged to review funding and program impacts in follow-up reports.