The views stated here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors of this newspaper. We welcome supporting or opposing views on any published item. Received August 12, 2026.
I read with great interest the recent letter from Heather Pach regarding the upcoming Regional School District 17 budget referendum on August 25th. While I respect Ms. Pach’s long career as an educator and her passion for our schools, I must firmly push back against the picture her letter paints of those of us voting “No.”
First, let us be clear: the offensive or outdated comments Ms. Pach referenced from the public hearing are abhorrent, unacceptable, and do not represent the overwhelming majority of residents who oppose this budget. Pitting neighbor against neighbor or implying that a “No” vote reflects a lack of compassion for special education or a desire to harm children is both unfair and inaccurate.
My wife and I bought our home in Higganum last autumn. Since moving in, our annual property taxes have jumped by more than $2,000. That is not a minor adjustment or loose change—it is a substantial, immediate financial blow. Like many families, senior citizens on fixed incomes, and working people in Haddam and Killingworth, our household budget is not bottomless. When the town puts forward a $54 million school budget against a backdrop of skyrocketing property taxes, asking residents to simply absorb the cost without limit is unsustainable.
A high turnout is indeed vital, but high turnout should not be equated with automatic approval of every spending proposal. Voting “No” is not apathy. It is not an attempt to turn back the clock thirty years or strip essential services from vulnerable students. It is an active, democratic statement that local government and school management must work harder to balance fiscal reality with educational needs.
When a budget fails referendum three times, it is not because the community doesn’t care—it is a clear message from the taxpayers that the balance has not yet been achieved. Expecting residents to continuously fund compounding tax increases without demanding leaner operations is what truly risks the long-term stability of our town.
We can be a community that cares deeply for our children while simultaneously demanding fiscal responsibility from our town leadership. Being “HK Family” means looking out for everyone in the community—including the families and seniors struggling to stay in their homes under an ever-increasing tax burden.
I join Ms. Pach in encouraging every eligible voter in Haddam and Killingworth to show up at the polls on August 25th. But when you mark your ballot, know that voting “No” is a legitimate, reasonable stance for a sustainable future for both our schools and our town.
Salvatore Clarino III, Higganum
