To the Editor:
In just a few short years, Monroe has welcomed 370 new students, making us the second fastest-growing school district in Connecticut. Families are moving here for our schools and investing their life savings in Monroe homes. They expect leadership that plans for our future — not leaders who dismiss concerns.
When parents recently spent two hours voicing worries about overcrowded classrooms and failing facilities, First Selectman Terry Rooney and Board of Finance Chairwoman Rebecca O’Donnell brushed them aside with comments such as, “70% of people do not use our schools” and “this town is not all about children.” That is not leadership. Ignoring problems only delays solutions and leaves taxpayers with bigger costs later.
The Monroe School Facilities Study confirms what parents already know: our schools are outdated and overcrowded. Roofs leak. Boilers and electrical systems are beyond their lifespan. Gyms and cafeterias can no longer handle today’s enrollment. The study makes one thing clear — piecemeal fixes are a waste of taxpayer dollars and will only drive up costs.
Yet Rooney has failed to plan for Monroe’s growth. He has ignored education leaders, skipped key meetings, and avoided addressing the town’s pressing infrastructure needs. This “kick the can down the road” approach is not working. Every year of delay makes the problem more expensive. Monroe families, taxpayers and children deserve better.
That is why I am supporting Leon Ambrosey for first selectman. Leon brings the experience of a business leader and the steady judgment of someone who listens before acting. On the Planning and Zoning Committee, residents know him as a voice of reason. He weighs all sides, engages with the community, and makes decisions that put Monroe first.
When residents and school leaders opposed cluster housing, Leon stood with them and voted no — even as the Republican majority pushed it through. Once again, the majority dismissed public concerns and added to the problem of school overcrowding.
Monroe’s future depends on leaders who solve problems instead of creating and avoiding them. We need someone who understands growth, respects taxpayers, and takes action. Leon Ambrosey is ready to deliver the thoughtful, forward-looking leadership Monroe needs.
The choice before us is clear: continue with leadership that ignores growth and dismisses residents’ concerns — or elect a leader who listens, plans and acts. For the sake of our schools, our taxpayers, and our community, Monroe deserves better. Monroe deserves Leon Ambrosey.
Benjamin Sabia
All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.
For decades the Board of Education and superintendents, both past and present, have continually kicked the can on long term planning for our schools and we’re suddenly going to blame the Board of Finance and First Selectman for it? That is some very interesting logic!
Year-over-year the Board of Education rubber stamped decisions made by superintendents to continue to hire more non-classroom staff, to approve contracts with salary increases that far exceeded the national and state average while simultaneously diverting money from the long-term capital improvement projects.
Yes, those decisions, many of them borne in the 1990s and earlier, are now reaching a tipping point. But you’re going to blame the First Selectman when it’s the board of education is looking for a bail out to the tune of $170M from the taxpayers due to their own neglect, poor planning and neglect?
You may want to focus your animosity on some of the people who are pushing this false narrative, such as the current board of education members, on both sides of the aisle I might add, who claimed that their 2025 budget contained zero fat and was as lean as possible. What did those same board members propose to cut after making those passionate assertations? $40,000 in lawn mowing expenses that could be saved by bringing that work in-house. I don’t know about you, but if I was short on money the first thing I’d cut would by my landscaper and do it myself, but apparently the superintendent and board of education feel that it’s an absolute necessity. What else are they misleading the public on in order to secure their taxpayer funded bailout?
I totally agree. Thank you for your accurate response. Board of Ed is responsible for maintaining schools and programming. Their budget consumes most of the annual budget. If it’s true that we are the third largest growing school districts than why did the school system drop to 35 in the state? The poor management is the board of Ed