READERS WRITE

In my recent examination of the mayor’s proposed FY 2024 budget, I have tried to make sense of the priorities, but I c a n’t. The budget has many troubling aspects and does not point Greenfield in a sensible or sustainable direction. In addition, there have been significant discrepancies between budget numbers that were initially presented to the City Council, the public, and in the city’s official FY24 Budget Book.

If Greenfield is to grow, investing in our schools must be a top priority. The connection between strong schools and economic success is well known. Most importantly, our teachers and students need us now more than ever. Yes, it’s true that enrollment declined here this past year, which is part of an ongoing demographic trend, but does that mean we abandon those who still go to school here?

We did not give up on our businesses during COVID. We supported them financially and made numerous accommodations to regulations and outdoor dining arrangements and more. And we, as ordinary citizens, knew that our neighbors who owned businesses might be struggling, so we ordered takeout more and tipped extra.

There is no doubt that the long list of cuts including personnel, programs, and textbooks will negatively impact children of all grade levels in the Greenfield Public Schools. How can we as citizens find this acceptable?

What does this say to those wanting to move to Greenfield? Is it something that can be countered by a $30,000 TV advertisement or an expensive new kiosk in Court Square?

Life is a series of choices that ultimately come to define us. The choice to cut the school budget by $1.5 million will define us for decades to come.

The time for bake sales is over. The money is there. Fund our schools.

VIRGINIA DESORGHER

Greenfield city councilor and chair of Ways & Means Committee