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Norwalk board votes to recommend opposing two school referendum questions
Summary
After debate over shifting cost‑share formulas, the Norwalk board voted to publicly recommend that residents oppose two RSU 54 referendum questions — a budget validation measure and a cost‑share formula change that the board said would increase the town's share of school costs.
The Norwalk town board voted unanimously to recommend that residents oppose two referendum questions placed by Regional School Unit 54: a budget validation measure and a proposed shift in the district cost‑share formula away from valuation toward pupil counts. Board members said the proposed cost‑share change would raise Norwalk's contribution and complicate fairness among the district's towns.
Board members and staff summarized the financial impact of the cost‑share change, saying the formula adjustment as proposed would position Norwalk to pay about an additional $16,000 in the coming cycle while other towns would see different gains or losses. The board’s discussion emphasized that the town’s relatively small population and valuation make it more vulnerable to changes that weight pupil counts over property valuation.
The board discussed transparency and timing, with members saying the measures were introduced quickly and that voters might be confused by two separate but related questions on the ballot. The board approved a draft letter to be published in the town newsletter and moved to distribute the town's statement and outreach materials to neighboring communities that share similar concerns.
The motion to take a formal position and circulate the letter passed by voice vote. The board also countersigned the referendum warrants so the questions can proceed to the ballot. Next steps: the town will publish the board's statement in the local newsletter and make materials available to residents ahead of the election.
