Educating on the issues: The town Budget

The Budget that was moved forward at the town meeting was scrutinized line by line.  I know because I went to many of the meetings of the BOE/ BOF.  
No one likes an increase in taxes we can all agree on that.  The budgets are a fair compromise of needs and fiscal balancing.  Our volunteer EMS/EMT team need resources to best serve our community.  It is time to provide those.  Conversation around
The education budget has been focused on full day kindergarten, that is a VERY SMALL piece in fact less than 1% of the budget.  What is in this budget are  
 Critical boiler replacement at Center School it also includes funding for the upcoming Oxford High School accreditation.  Accreditation will have an impact on all students ability to attend college and other avenues to further their education.  
FDK the facts nearly 90% of school districts in CT will offer a full day kindergarten option. The reason for this is the fact that new educational standards have fundamentally changed the skills kindergarteners will need to master going into first grade.  It isn't the same our children are required to know going into 1st grade what we were required to know in second and third grade.  I have attached some data comparing the education spend of Oxford compared to our neighbors and those towns who are similar economically based on median family income as reported by the state 2011.   Out of the 5 towns which are economically similar based on median family income Oxford ranks last.  Oxford compared to our neighboring 8 towns Oxford ranks third to last 6th.     The true facts are that the last state data show Oxford was ranked 158 out of 169 in per student spending.  There is not fat to be trimmed.  
For these reasons I will VOTE YES for the EMS/EMT and YES to the BOE budget.  I encourage you to research and reach your opinion.

Tim