18:32:59	 From  Michael McNamara  to  All panelists : This is the link you sent to the public for tonight’s meeting.
18:53:55	 From  Edward Tyrrell  to  All panelists : 3 minutes, please
19:09:40	 From  John Catizone  to  All panelists : I think my first part of my comments were cut off.  I just wanted to thank you for your courage to promote a prudent budget.  Let’s focus on bureaucracy not cutting teachers.
19:14:51	 From  Jeanne Deming : can you wait for me to put in a statement? 
19:14:54	 From  Jeanne Deming : in the chat?
19:17:27	 From  Sean Connelly  to  Jeanne Deming and all panelists : Please write up your statement, thank you
19:18:12	 From  Jeanne Deming : Jeanne Deming- teacher at RHS and President of NEA-R The past several weeks have shown us that teachers are sacrificing and students will need additional,not less support. You will need teachres, essential workers, more than ever when we return to school Even in harder times the cost of the original budget to the avg taxpayer  is well worth the cost to ensure the minimum support to the students of today and the adults of tomorrow. How can the town of Ridgefield risk potentially irreversible damage to it's greatest asset- it's school system- by cutting it's already lean, bare-bones budget? Thank you for all that you do and for the opportunity to speak. 
19:19:32	 From  Jeanne Deming : Dave was able to make our statement = thank you
19:24:24	 From  Stephen Ruland  to  All panelists : What is the email address again
19:24:58	 From  Maureen Kozlark  to  All panelists : selectman@ridgefieldct.org
19:26:10	 From  Sean Connelly : selectman@ridgefieldct.org

19:26:25	 From  Stephen Ruland : Thank you
19:26:43	 From  LINDA HAINES  to  All panelists : Please discuss using some of the town’s surplus money.  We have the surplus to use for emergencies.  I would say this is an emergency.  Thank you all and glad to see you are feeling better Rudy!
19:31:53	 From  David Ulmer  to  All panelists : I think $15.35M includes a $200K surplus in FY20. CAFR shows $15.1M or 10.22%, Dave
19:41:49	 From  Julie Henderson  to  All panelists : students do pay to park at the HS
20:02:52	 From  Michael McNamara : You are speculating, Ms. Kozlark.  What metrics do you have for Ridgefield?
20:03:19	 From  Greg Kabasakalian  to  All panelists : Not even close. Mrs. K. speaks truth.
20:05:40	 From  Joseph O'Dea  to  All panelists : I would seriously consider a cut of budget of 5-10% with nothing taken from Fund Balance.  It was so nice hearing from all the educators who are getting a raise July1. But so many residents will lose their jobs.  IT is not reasonable to insist all Town Employees and Educators keep their jobs.
20:07:59	 From  Lisa Frese : They did eliminate a team each year for the prior 3 years and re-district 
20:08:33	 From  Michael McNamara : It is true, Barbara.
20:08:37	 From  Lisa Frese : It was restructured
20:09:23	 From  Michael McNamara : Saying that they haven’t restructured is simply not accurate and wild speculation, j
20:10:46	 From  Michael McNamara : I hope the board of selectmen are reading Lisa Frese’s comments.  There have been all kinds of restructuring.  SRMS just took on 25% of ERMS population over the past 3 years and a team was eliminated at ERMS.
20:11:05	 From  Greg Kabasakalian  to  All panelists : Over using Fund Balance is a slippery slope. It could set a precedent that puts the Town on a bad road. Over use.,
20:11:10	 From  Lisa Frese : elimination of 14 teaching positions
20:12:54	 From  Michael McNamara : Did you just say 12 per month is 300 businesses?
20:13:16	 From  Joseph O'Dea  to  All panelists : 12%
20:13:52	 From  Greg Kabasakalian  to  All panelists : Personally, I wouldn't support cutting 1 teacher.
20:15:46	 From  Kathleen Murdock  to  All panelists : People don't move to Ridgefield for the beautiful roads or police department. They move to Ridgefield for the SCHOOLS!
20:17:08	 From  Jessica Mancini  to  All panelists : Point of clarification.  Eliminating a team at ERMS is not restructuring. The structure remained the same. That adjustment was a responsible response due to the declining enrollment.
20:21:37	 From  Michael McNamara : Sean nailed it in terms of what 0% means.
20:21:46	 From  Jessica Mancini : Point of clarification.  Eliminating a team at ERMS is not restructuring. The structure remained the same. That adjustment was a responsible response due to the declining enrollment.
20:22:50	 From  Michael McNamara : But redistricting too SRMS was.
20:23:17	 From  Michael McNamara : And yes, declining enrollment was addressed
20:24:10	 From  Lisa Frese : The district re-districted the middle school students from 60/40 to 50/50 and increased class sizes at both schools
20:24:30	 From  Shane Peters : And laid off 14 teachers in the process.
20:25:02	 From  Lisa Frese : Yes middle school teachers were reduced by 14 staff members 
20:26:12	 From  Joseph O'Dea  to  All panelists : Let the Central Office manage the Budget you give them.  If you cut their budget 5%, see what they do.  That's what they get paid for.  Management.
20:26:24	 From  Sarah Pettitt : thank you Sean for really taking the time understand BOE budget and needs. Your clear understanding is appreciated.
20:26:50	 From  Michael McNamara : Yes, thank you Sean.  You really did take the time to understand the impacts.
20:27:39	 From  Michael McNamara : It’s $10 a month.  I can afford it.
20:28:27	 From  Nicole Brodsky  to  All panelists : Thank you Sean for providing a clear understanding of the BOE budget and the impact on our students.
20:28:37	 From  Joseph O'Dea  to  All panelists : The pain and anxiety of the residents losing their jobs is significant.   And when businesses  go under, the revenue loss will bankrupt this town if you do not make the cuts.
20:29:13	 From  Shane Peters : class sizes are already very high thanks to redistricting.
20:29:17	 From  Robin Collins : Thank you Sean, for examining the nuances of the BOE budget and for realizing that big money cuts will absolutely result in a reduction of force.  
20:29:24	 From  kim carone  to  All panelists : Are closets for classrooms ok?
20:29:27	 From  Michael McNamara : There’s nothing left to cut Barb.
20:29:32	 From  Lisa Frese : Yes and teachers rooms are now classrooms at SRMS
20:29:47	 From  Joseph O'Dea  to  All panelists : How about cutting All Day Kindergarten?
20:29:50	 From  Elizabeth Reynolds  to  All panelists : Thank you Sean... you have a very clear understanding the needs of the school district.
20:31:35	 From  Michael McNamara : Thank you Rudy.
20:32:11	 From  Joseph O'Dea  to  All panelists : How many positions are non essential in Town?  Why not lay off employees? Non-gov't employees are getting laid off left and right.
20:33:12	 From  Joseph O'Dea  to  All panelists : Lead by example!!!
20:34:54	 From  Joseph O'Dea  to  All panelists : Sounds like BOS is singing same song as BOE.  We can't make the cuts.  It's too hard.
20:35:40	 From  jan rifkinson rifkinson  to  All panelists : Has anyone addressed how $$ from the state might affect our budget?
20:36:22	 From  jan rifkinson rifkinson  to  All panelists : state contributions?
20:38:51	 From  jan rifkinson rifkinson  to  All panelists : Do we really expect $1 in state aid?
20:39:03	 From  jan rifkinson rifkinson  to  All panelists : $1 million
20:42:04	 From  jan rifkinson rifkinson  to  All panelists : how about the 22 budget?
20:42:20	 From  Joseph O'Dea  to  All panelists : Do you folks understand so many in Ridgefield will lose their jobs and have to cut their expenses as a family going forward?  Why can't you do the same?
20:44:37	 From  jan rifkinson rifkinson  to  All panelists : we *need* a fund balance cushion for 22 budgets
20:47:39	 From  jan rifkinson rifkinson  to  All panelists : thank you maureen
20:50:43	 From  jan rifkinson rifkinson  to  All panelists : need longer view vs shorter view.
20:51:52	 From  Joseph O'Dea  to  All panelists : So if the issue is worse than 2009, Why are we even considering an increase?  How a bout a decrease?
20:52:10	 From  Shane Peters : It's pouring.
20:52:18	 From  Joseph O'Dea  to  All panelists : Its gunna be a deluge next year, this is a shower Rudy
20:52:57	 From  Joseph O'Dea  to  All panelists : Welcome to the club Rudy.  Laying people off is happened for the last month.
20:52:58	 From  jan rifkinson rifkinson  to  All panelists : it's going to be pouring for the next 2-3 yrs
20:54:37	 From  jan rifkinson rifkinson  to  All panelists : exactly right!
20:54:53	 From  Elizabeth White  to  All panelists : the economic impact of this will certainly be profound but the recovery is likely to be faster, even if it doesn’t get better until a vaccine is available.
20:56:01	 From  jan rifkinson rifkinson  to  All panelists : please don't spend it all in oneyear
21:03:04	 From  Joseph O'Dea  to  All panelists : Sean, The BOE will never come up with what you ask for. Make them.
21:10:29	 From  Joseph O'Dea  to  All panelists : My question is if you are considering the Unemployment numbers?  How will this matter? Will you ever cut the budget?  Remember how many people will lose jobs?  This is really sad.  People will cut their personal expenditures, will you?