HatCityBLOG THROWBACK THURSDAY MOMENT: THE HISTORY OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND SCHOOL SYSTEM’S FISCAL INCOMPETENCE EDITION
Thursday, February 26, 2026 Time: 8:28 AM
As I mentioned countless times, at the start of HatCityBLOG, educational matters were my primary focus, since the topic received little attention, outside of the reporting from education beat reporters Scott Radway and Eileen Fitzgerald’s excellent coverage for the Newstimes.
As we approach the height of the budget season, despite the hyper-partisan and wildly disingenuous political spin we currently face in the city over educational funding, the history of fiscal incompetence and lack of coherent oversight remains a tried-and-true source of embarrassment for the school system and the board of education, regardless of political affiliation.
From January 2001, here’s an oldie but goodie from Democratic Mayor Gene Eriquez’s last term in office, in which the School system’s gross fiscal mismanagement resulted in an end-of-year deficit.
Many of the primary reasons behind the deficit 25 years ago are the EXACT same reasons the school system recently ended the last three fiscal years with historic and unacceptable surpluses. Take note of the individuals quoted in the article, as their commentary provides insight into their experience with this topic today.
This goes well with coffee...
“School Finances Questioned” Scott Radway, The News-Times: Jan 31, 2001
04.25.22 (RADIO): WSHU Latino group call on Connecticut lawmakers to open a Danbury charter school
06.03.22 (OP-ED): KUSHNER: "Career Academy ‘a great deal for Danbury"
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
The amended complaint states that plaintiffs sought to remedy the continued discriminatory and unauthorized enforcement of federal immigration laws against the Latino residents of the City of Danbury by Danbury's mayor and its police department.
Plaintiffs allege that the arrests violated their Fourth Amendment rights and the Connecticut Constitution because defendants conducted the arrests without valid warrants, in the absence of exigent circumstances, and without probable cause to believe that plaintiffs were engaged in unlawful activity. In addition, plaintiffs allege that defendants improperly stopped, detained, investigated, searched and arrested plaintiffs. Plaintiffs also allege that defendants violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights when they intentionally targeted plaintiffs, and arrested and detained them on the basis of their race, ethnicity and perceived national origin. Plaintiffs raise First Amendment, Due Process and tort claims.
Plaintiffs request declaratory relief, damages and attorneys fees.
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
