Rocky Hill Democratic Town Committee

06/04/2026

06/04/2026

Looking for some hot deals on some great reads, with all the proceeds going to fund programs at the library? Look no further! Join us for our Annual Friends of the Rocky Hill Library Book Sale from June 3 - 7! The Friends have been curating a great collection of items for sale, including books for all ages, movies, music, puzzles, games, and more!
If you want first dibs on these great items, consider joining the Friends of the Library so you can access the Members Preview Sale on June 3! Visit the Friends website for more details - https://www.friendsrhl.org/

05/22/2026

This year’s budget increase reflects the reality of addressing years of deferred investment in critical municipal services and infrastructure. For too long, essential needs were funded below sustainable levels, creating gaps that could no longer responsibly be postponed. This budget is about rightsizing — not establishing a new annual trend of increases.

Many of the investments included this year are targeted to stabilize services, address longstanding operational needs, and avoid larger costs in the future. Continuing to underfund these areas would only shift the burden forward, ultimately resulting in higher costs for taxpayers down the road.

Responsible budgeting means making strategic investments when they are necessary, not ignoring problems until they become crises.

It is important to distinguish between a corrective budget year and future budget planning. A significant increase in one year to address accumulated needs does not mean the same level of increase will be required next year. In fact, rightsizing now positions the town for more predictable and sustainable budgeting moving forward.

Our responsibility is not simply to keep numbers artificially low in the short term — it is to ensure the town remains financially healthy, operationally stable, and able to deliver the services residents expect and deserve.

05/21/2026

For days now the Republican Town Committee has been attacking the democrats for the unanimously passed bipartisan BOE budget. They have called us liars and irresponsible. Enough is enough. Here is the bottom line.

They wanted a 6% increase on the total BOE budget, they said that's what is responsible.

They claim there is no transparency on salaries and benefits (confusing since it was contracted under them).

Unfortunately, because of what is happening at the federal level, benefits increased by 17%. So existing salaries and benefits alone caused a 6.9% increase to the budget.A common theme across the state and country.

Let's read that again. The Republicans said a 6% total increase in the BOE budget is responsible. Existing Salaries and benefits are at a 6.9% total increase before even buying a piece of chalk. So they already understood this would mean layoffs.

The lowest transportation bid came in 14% higher, and we are required by law to bus students.

Adding transportation to salaries and benefits brings us to a 7.73% increase. In order to reach the Republican 6%, that is roughly removing 5.5 teacher positions.

Remember haven't even looked at everything else needed to run a school. Not even a pencil or piece of chalk.

6 years of underfunding caused us to have 11 less elementary teacher positions. Classes are growing because of it. As teachers retired many weren't able to be replaced due to budget constraints. Central office for years did the best they could moving teachers around and getting creative.

How many more teachers do the Republicans want to remove? At least 10 to reach 6% and still operate a school?

Last year the BOE was underfunded by 650k. They were forced to cut world languages, a summer school program, some funding for field trips, couldn't hire a teacher, and combined a special ed program together. So already sending the schools backwards. That's where the schools were at when Dr Zito discussed just maintaining what we had.

Our schools are great and our teachers are amazing, don't get us wrong. We are ranked 26 in best district while being in the bottom 25% in per pupil spending. To keep underfunding our schools and expect the same results is not feasible. We can't expect to have the same results with less teachers and more kids.

Republicans can choose to join the bipartisan BOE moving the schools forward or continue to make unserious posts online. So either join us, or explain how you would come to an increase lower than salaries and benefits alone while getting the same results.

05/20/2026

From Rocky Hill's own Robert Downes: "Connecticut is right to begin regulating artificial intelligence (AI). But beginning is the key word. With Senate Bill 5 now signed into law and House Bill 5312 placed on the consent calendar as of May 5, the state legislature has taken meaningful steps toward a more transparent and accountable digital information ecosystem."

The question for democracy's future is not whether AI will be used, but whether it can be governed by democratic values aligned with the public interest.

05/19/2026

Grateful to our amazing teachers in Rocky Hill

The past 6 years of underfunding caused us to lose 11 k-6 teachers. This has caused large classroom sizes. Moser school has 2 grade levels and lost 5 teachers in just 6 years. The Republicans don't see an issue.

Underfunding of the CIP has caused us to be behind 7.2 million in projects.

EXISTING salaries and benefits, transportation and tuition was 7.64% increase. Benefits had a 14% increase. Transportation was 17% increase.

The Republicans wanted to hold the BOE to a 6% increase. How would that be possible without layoffs or massive cuts to programs? They wanted to continue the underfunding. Thankfully the Democrats said enough.

Rocky Hill is already one of the lowest in per pupil spending in the state. Is the Republican goal to be last in funding our schools?

05/19/2026

Town Councilor Zachary M van Luling: "After years of deferred obligations, strained services, and short-term thinking, the real question is whether we continue managing decline in slow motion or begin restoring the capacity our town needs to succeed."

"This budget is not perfect. No budget is. But it is serious. It is targeted. It is more precise than the budget habits that helped create the hole we are now trying to climb out of.

"Last night, the alternative offered to this budget reflected the same familiar routine that helped bring us to this point: cut what is politically easiest, postpone what is structurally necessary, and call the delay fiscal discipline. That approach may sound restrained in the moment, but it does not erase the underlying need. It moves the consequence to a later year, when it is usually more expensive, more disruptive, and harder to reverse."

"That is not responsible government. It is the quiet accumulation of risk. "

After years of deferred obligations, strained services, and short-term thinking, the real question is whether we continue managing decline in slow motion or begin restoring the capacity our town needs to succeed.

05/12/2026

The Board of Education unamiously adopted a budget that halts the loss of teachers and makes common sense investments in our infrastructure. Learn what's in the budget submitted to the Town Council.

"...This level of underinvestment is not sustainable. Our students and educators deserve smaller class sizes and access to the tools and resources they need to succeed, and it’s on us to make sure they have them...Our schools are the heartbeat of our community, and how we support them now will shape the opportunities our students have tomorrow."

Throughout the budget negotiation process, the Board remained grounded in a few core priorities: supporting student learning, meeting diverse needs, maintaining safe and effective learning environments, and being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.

05/07/2026

One thing to remember about the school budget:

"The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) capital projects needed to maintain town-owned buildings. Over the past seven years, however, the CIP has been underfunded by approximately $7 million. The unfinished HVAC project at Stevens School is one example of the impact delayed investments can have on our facilities. Future priorities include completing that project and addressing needs at GMS, including updated learning spaces like a redesigned media center, technology lab, and renovated woodshop."

More from Jessica Loffredo in the post

Opinion piece: this article reflects the opinion of the author. The Rocky Hill Board of Education recently voted unanimously on the Operation Budget for the 2026-2027 school year. As we said in our presentation to the Town Council this week, we believe every investment in our schools strengthens opp...

05/04/2026

From Robert Downes: "In a time when many solutions to environmental challenges can seem daunting or out of reach, "No Mow May" offers something truly accessible, visible, and community-centered. It invites residents to participate together in a shared act of environmental stewardship. How? By leaving the lawn mower inside for just one more month, saving on that extra gas at the pump, and sitting back to watch the flowers grow."

Opinion piece: this article reflects the opinion of the author As a lifelong resident of Rocky Hill, a member of the Sustainable Rocky Hill Task Force since its inaugural group, and a resident Eagle Scouts, who promised to help steward our community, its wildlife, and its natural beauty over a decad...