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Parents urge Columbia BOE to spare preschool, seek grants and reconsider pay-to-play
Summary
Several parents and community members urged the board not to cut preschool or paraprofessionals, recommended pursuing grant funding for PFAS remediation, and questioned pay-to-play and preschool fee allocations to the town.
Multiple audience members used the public-comment period to press the board on preschool, extracurriculars and PFAS funding.
Heather Connors asked when a referendum will occur and why Columbia cannot use undesignated reserve funds as some other towns do. Jackie Cook urged the board to pursue grants for PFAS remediation. Jess Price questioned why preschool program fees must be distributed to the town and asked what would happen if HVAC costs exceed the approved $96,000.
Kristen Bacon criticized prioritizing coaching stipends while asking teachers to give back a day of pay, saying ‘‘defunding academics will not be the answer to raising test scores.’’ Jeff Smith described the impact of staff eliminations on struggling students and said requiring remaining teachers to handle classes of 18 could leave students behind. Anna Hilbie called cutting preschool ‘‘negligent’’ and warned of long-term harms to children who start kindergarten unprepared.
Board members invited written questions via the town website Q&A and said some responses will appear at future meetings. No public comments led to a formal vote at this session.
