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Education Committee (EdCom)

What is EdCom?

The Easton PTA’s Education Committee is dedicated to supporting and enhancing Easton’s public schools, with respect for the needs of the entire community. EdCom is committed to providing factual information to the public to ensure that voters make informed decisions on education issues. We encourage participation of all segments of Easton’s population because we believe that the well-being of the whole town depends on the health of its schools. A good public education is not only Easton’s obligation to its children, but also the town’s gift to the future.

The PTA's Education Committee (EdCom) was formed in the Spring of 1999 in response to growing parental concern about the situation in Easton's schools. In November 1998, the Easton schools suffered a major setback with the defeat of a comprehensive building project that would have addressed increasing enrollment in a timely fashion.

It’s important for parents to stay informed, so please consider adding your name to EdCom’s email distribution list. You’ll receive reminders of important meetings and referenda, as well as vote results and information about building projects and education budgets. For more information, contact a PTA Executive Board member.

Thank you for your support! Working together, we have made a difference. Your continued advocacy for Easton’s children has made possible the HKMS renovation and the new SSES. Help us maintain that positive momentum.

EdCom sources of information include the Board of Education, the Board of Finance, building committees, Town Hall, and the school’s administrations.

EdCom FAQs

Are you registered to vote? If not…

Any resident of Easton who is a U.S. citizen and over the age of 18 is eligible to vote in town referenda. You may register by mail or in person at the Town Hall. You must show proof of residence, such as a valid driver’s license with your Easton address or a recent utility bill in your name.

If you rent a house in Easton, you are eligible to vote. If you own land in Easton, but are not living in town, you are eligible to vote as long as the tax collector’s real estate records show that you pay taxes on the land.

Do you need to vote by absentee ballot?

If you will be out of town the entire time the polls are open on the day of the referendum, you may vote by absentee ballot. To do this, you have two options: 1) Go in person to the Town Clerk’s office in the week before the referendum and cast your vote, or 2) appoint a family member to obtain an application for you. To allow sufficient time to vote by absentee ballot in this way, it is best to return the completed application by the Saturday before the vote so that you will have time to complete and submit the actual ballot before the Clerk’s office closes on voting day.

At what point can parents have input into the education budget process?

At the start of school, the administration begins to develop its budget for eventual submission to the Board of Education. Parents' input in this process is encouraged.

The budgets for both SSES and HKMS, as well as central office are compiled into one request, which is presented to the Board of Education in January. The Board will approve a final budget in February. Here are two more opportunities for parents to express their views. All Board of Education meetings have public comment periods.

In late winter and early spring the BOE-approved budget is presented to the Board of Finance at a public meeting where, once again, comments and questions from the public are encouraged.

Sometime after that, the Board of Finance meets to either make cuts to or approve "as-is" the education budget. There is a public comment period at Board of Finance meetings. Written communications emailed to individual members are welcome and have had an impact on their decision in the past.

Finally, it is the Board of Education’s role to revise the original education budget on a line-by-line basis to accommodate the Board of Finance adjustments, if any. Once again, parental input on how to implement the adjustments is encouraged.

This budgeting process occurs over several months, and there are many opportunities for parents to voice their opinions.

© 2008. Easton PTA.