Dear Editor,
I am writing to correct some of the misconceptions in Pavla Levin’s letter to the editor from Oct. 6, 2023.
I agree that, “the people of New Canaan have a right to know the candidate they are voting for.” However, I disagree that you wrote your letter, ‘out of an abundance of caution’. If you were being ‘cautious’ you would have done more in-depth research into the candidate, Lauren Connolly Nusbaum, before you submitted your letter. Even our own high school students know that the first part of research is to Question Everything. It’s part of the fantastic curriculum NCHS has developed and implemented with our students to help them become part of the educated populus that keeps our democracy running. But I digress….
Some highlights:
The petition to which you refer was signed by almost 800 concerned NCHS alumni, New Canaan students and parents, Lauren being one of them. The petition was not a list of demands, but an outline of ideas to bring to the Board of Education to ensure they continue to pursue their goal of educating the whole child. One of those items noted that a long-term hiring goal would be to make an effort to seek out and hire qualified teachers of color (around 25%). Nowhere did it state current teachers would be fired and replaced with teachers of color.
As for your supposition that Lauren Connolly Nusbaum has a hidden agenda or nefarious reasons for deciding to sign the petition, I can only say these are purely conjecture and not even remotely based in fact. There is no ‘significant information gap between her previously stated objectives and her current public statements’. Lauren Connelly Nusbaum is running to represent all New Canaan residents. She understands that an elected official must put forward the concerns and ideas of all of her constituents, regardless of party affiliation.
As far as keeping national politics -of all kinds- out of the classroom, I agree to some extent. However, teaching students how to distinguish fact from ‘fake news’ and interact with people of different cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds and beliefs does belong in the classroom. As does learning about tolerance and empathy for those who are different from yourself.
Lastly, the moniker ‘A Candidate for Change’ was bestowed upon her by this newspaper and was never a part of the candidate’s platform. Not that there’s anything wrong with change, per se.
If this newspaper’s readers and New Canaan residents want to make an informed decision about who represents them, (and the best interests of their children) in our wonderful New Canaan Public Schools, I highly recommend you plan to attend or view the candidates’ debates on October 23rd at 6pm at Town Hall & on Public Access Channel 79. More information on local elections can be found on the League of Women Voters website: http://www.lwvnewcanaan.org/
Keely Norton
