On Monday, April 21, the Education Committee from the RTM will be presenting to the full body of the RTM a Sense of the Meeting Resolution (SOMR) requesting that the BET restore funding to the operating budget for Greenwich Public Schools for Fiscal Year 2026.
The SOMR being presented will read:
Whereas, the Education Committee was severely disappointed in the outcome of the BET decision to cut $4,048,621 from the Greenwich Public Schools’(GPS) operating budget for fiscal 2026.
Whereas, the Education Committee feels it is our fiduciary responsibility to make sure GPS and its students are properly funded.
Therefore, it is our Sense of the Meeting resolution that the RTM respectfully requests that the BET re-open the operating budget vote for fiscal year 2026, to better meet the financial needs of GPS.
I am the Chair of the RTM Education Committee and have no political agenda. I serve in this role because of my strong commitment to guarantee that every child in Greenwich receives the best education possible from the Greenwich Public Schools. The final version of the SOMR was created by a bi-partisan group from the committee. Please be aware that the delegates at the Education Committee meeting voted overwhelmingly to approve the SOMR and send it to the full RTM for adoption. The SOMR is not a binding law or resolution and, if passed, it is a statement that reflects the population of the town. The RTM has 230 members, divided into twelve districts with a demographic that mirrors the general population of Greenwich. For the SOMR to be adopted, we first need two-thirds of the RTM to agree to move forward with the item. Once this occurs, it then needs a majority to pass.
It has come to my attention that a faction within the BET (Finance Board) is trying to prevent this SOMR from being passed. We need to put politics aside and show that quality education is something that is universally expected in Greenwich. It is our hope that the BET will see that the cut in the Education operating budget will have a significantly detrimental effect on the quality of education in town. We also hope that the BET will re-open the budget to find a compromise that restores funding.
We have received letters from town residents expressing anger, frustration, disappointment, and outrage about the cuts to the schools’ operating budget. If you also feel this way, please let your feelings be known, by writing to the entire RTM at the following link Form Center • Contact All 230 RTM Members or the BET at Form Center • CONTACT BET MEMBERS
Please note that this letter is not from the Education Committee and all opinions are my own.
Sincerely,
Steven Rubin
Chairman RTM Education Committee
Chairman RTM District 3
Opinions expressed here are solely mine and do not represent the views or opinions of any official committee or organization.
