Letter: Saxe Expansion a Necessity, Not a ‘Nice-To-Have’

As a parent with two girls at Saxe and one boy in 1st Grade at West, I am very interested in the current plan to effect the renovation of the Saxe auditorium and, at the same time, expand the building to add 12 more classrooms. I understand that there is some hesitation, on the part of some members of town government, to proceed on the full project. I have heard some of the objections and, while earnestly expressed, they do not appear to be sufficient for delaying a vote to approve the project. As we consider this issue, reviewing all the relevant facts and considerations from all sides, it is important to keep certain basic principles in mind.

First, all of the citizens of the town owe our kids an education in an adequate facility. There is a compact among the generations of New Canaanites that should be held sacrosanct: Those who received a top quality education in a quality facility, and those parents of kids who received such an education, are bound, by the strength of the community, to assure that the current and future generations of New Canaan kids receive the same.

Second, we must recognize that the additional classrooms at Saxe are an essential need of the town. There are several projects that one might imagine would improve the quality of the town. It is critical to separate those projects that are “nice to have” from those that are necessary. Accommodating a growing population of Middle School-aged kids, in a facility which already exceeds its designed capacity, is a necessity for the town and not a nice-to-have.

Third, any proposed significant expenditure of town funds should be considered in light of its effect on property values in town. There is a direct relationship between good, and improving, educational facilities and property values in a town.

With these basic principles in mind—around community compact, essentiality and property value—I am confident that even specific and earnest reasons for hesitation by certain Town leaders, concerning the approval of the Saxe expansion project, should fade.

Paul Burke

New Canaan