I appreciate the continued coverage the American Journal has provided on Westbrook’s FY06 budget – across city and school lines. I was one of many people present in Room 114 at Westbrook High School last Tuesday for the lengthly Finance Committee meeting. I found it ironic we were in a room at Westbrook High School debating whether the FY06 budget would include the school budget as proposed.

The amount of time School Board members and school administration have put into the School Department’s meticulous line-item budget over the past five months, along with the cuts to personnel and programs that reduced the proposed ’06 school budget by approximately $375,000, seemed to pale in the light of the heated tax relief issue. During some portions of the evening, it felt like we were debating seniors and taxpayer relief versus students and providing what the schools need to offer quality education. What came to the surface is the needs of more funds for both groups during these trying economic times.

I’m pleased to have been part of the process and doubly pleased the council was able to give a tax decrease while protecting the functioning of all city departments, including the schools. I applaud our community for voicing their opinions as well as City Council’s time, energy, and actions taken to approve the ’06 school budget without further reductions.

Jan Born

Westbrook

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