Greenwich Time puts its hand on the scale

Thank goodness there are alternatives to our local media. It's election season and the Greenwich Time has conveniently found a way to put its hand on the scales a week before the November 4 elections. The primary tool? As usual, the scare tactics about school budget cuts - the best the Democrats seem to have to offer.

The Greenwich Time story on Monday ran with a headline that appears to be straight Democrat talking points: "Greenwich budget guidelines would likely mean cuts to schools. Likely? Likely if you add back this and subtract that. Let's look at the reality of the situation.

Ask yourself, doesn't Greenwich already have the most well-funded and highly ranked public schools in the state? Doesn't Greenwich also boast the most reasonable mill rate in the state? Who truly wants to change that formula?

Republican member of the finance board (BET), Karen Fassuiliotis said, "Last year it was the sky was falling, the sky was falling, the schools don't have enough money, and we had a $2.5 million surplus." According to Republican chair of the BET Harry Fisher, the 3.25% increase to the schools is a non-binding guideline that actually outpaces the current rate of inflation.

In a separate statement here, Republican BET Chair, Harry Fisher confirmed that the Budget Guidelines "include the full teachers' contractual salaries and the bus contract...As we have always done in the past, Republicans are fully committed to fund a first-rate education experience in Greenwich."

Between the Lines: Now you know how to evaluate a Greenwich Time story, assuming you are still a subscriber.

Story here