This is my eighteenth year as a teacher in Ansonia and my second year as president of the Ansonia Federation of Teachers.
There are many things that have changed in town during that time, but many of the issues are still the same.
Education is always discussed as a priority, yet we are continually fighting for adequate funding.
Over the last two years I have heard “I support education” or “education is a priority” from a variety of political leaders. Unfortunately, their statements are usually followed by some sort of qualifier.
Consequently, statements such as “I will support education if and only if the teachers make fundamental changes to their health insurance” take on a new meaning. Adding “if the board of education will go self-funded with city control” or “if you help get rid of the superintendent” show that education is not truly a priority.
Supporting education “if and only if” our schools compromise our students’ education in favor of the city is not real support.
During an election cycle, both sides present their version of the facts to win over the public. I believe in providing facts and not some alternate version of the truth. The fact is that our schools are not able to provide the same opportunities as most other schools in Connecticut.
During the last two years, we have suffered cuts to educational coaches, interventionists, the arts, health and science classes and even classroom teachers.
These are not educators anyone would put in the “nice to have” category; these are educators that our students need in order to be productive members of our community. Our students need resources so they can read. They need additional experiences in the arts. Our students need additional mental health professionals. They need smaller class sizes.
We know that every one of these things will help to provide a better education. We also know that the quality of a community’s schools is directly tied to property values.
Better — or even the perception of better — schools means higher property values, which in turn creates additional tax revenue.
I am asking every parent and everyone who cares about the children of Ansonia to tune out the election noise and focus on who will make our schools and our students a priority.
Once the elections are over, I then ask you to continue to advocate for our children. We know that, once again, the budget cycle will not be easy. We as a group of caring residents and educators have the power to make our students a priority.
Mat Hough
President, Ansonia Federation of Teachers
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