The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-29
NEWTOWN
(Communicated.)

Town management of schools and
 consolidation of districts is being
 urged by a few residents of Newtown
 who would like to hold the reins and
 direct said management and consoli-
 dation which is to be voted upon at
 the town election next Monday. There
 are some good reasons on both sides
 of the question, but the strongest idea
 at this time?" This is a question
 that requires careful thought. It is
 one that completely does away with
 Home Rule" that is, any resident of
 a district would have no voice in re-
 gard to the school house, teacher,
 condition of school or children. To
 be sure he could go to the ballot box
 once in three years to vote for or
 against town school committee which would be a very speedy way to get any satisfaction. If it was to correct a district committee, he could be very easily removed every year. Another and a strong point at this time is the enormous expense to the town that would surely follow But few of the school houses, should the town own them, but that the committee would deem they needed extensive repairs both interior and exterior. Wells would have to be dug at most of them for new water supply also fences would have to be built around most of them as many of them are either upon or bounded l by some resident property. Every one knows the town tax is 17 mills and it already costs more than one third of all the money expended by the town to now maintain the schools as they are today. Would it cost any less under town management? If town management prevails mostly normal teachers would be hired and as the law is the state has the first say as to normal teachers so the town committee would have no more power over normal teacher than the district committee. The question of state supervision was voted on a year ago and these same people who are now so strongly in favor of town managem ent were then against state supervision Then the question of consolidation comes up and also the question of transportation with added
 cost. The people of Pootatuck might l be sent to Sandy Hook school and also Walnut Tree Hill. Half Way River sent to Gray's Plain. Zoar and
 Toddy Hill put together. South Gen. ter with Middle Hopewell with Flat ter for the children if they were all | in one or two schools, but the long distance makes it dangerous to health | of children. Then consider your High school. The High school com mittee except one member who is on | the school board would pass out of | the limelight. This committee works without pay and has given general satisfaction. The school board would become the town committee and their duties as we'll as their salaries would be more than doubled in order to | look after all the school buildings and property. It would be a fine thing l for the committee, but the question | is would the schools be any better 1 or the expense any less to have this l town committee of a few men do all the thinking and management for you l in your home district. Citizens of | Newtown think this over twice before you vote in favor of town manage ment at this time, without state su-
 A VIEWPOINT CITIZEN.
 | The train leaving the Newtown station at 4:12 D. m., will leave at
 1852 p. m. beginning Monday. Octo- Der End. Mrs. Cornelia Smith and Miss Claribel Smith have returned from an extended visit in Falls Village, West Cornwall and Danbury.
 | George A. Fairchild has returned from a three weeks visit with South
 Mir. and Mrs. s. B. Camp enter |