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NORWALK, Conn. Norwalk parents again are being asked to make their presence known on the lawn of City Hall.
"Our schools and our city will die without immediate action," writes Barbara Smyth in her announcement of a third rally, to be held Tuesday evening, to protest cuts in Norwalk's school budget.
Smyth, who has a son entering West Rocks Middle School in the fall, was skeptical last Tuesday she would organize more protests. It was a lot of work, she said, and she was tired.
On Friday, following the Thursday Board of Education vote to approve the cuts outlined by Superintendent Susan Marks, Smyth changed her mind.
"I didn't think I had it in me, but I can't sit back and let this happen to our kids and my city," she said in an e-mail.
"The approval of the school budget as it is currently written is unacceptable," she wrote. "We cannot stand by and allow politics to destroy our schools and our city. Whatever our beliefs and opinions we must all come together to provide more funding to educate our children."
Protesters are set to meet at 6:30 p.m. and are encouraged to stay for the Common Council meeting, which begins at 8 p.m. The council will debate a resolution to make a special appropriation of up to $1.8 million from the "Rainy Day Fund" for the Board of Education budget.
Smyth said "people will be angry enough to be at this rally and meeting in full force."
"Again, bring a sign (please keep it respectful and to the point)," Smyth writes. "Show your support for Norwalk Public Schools and the future of our children and our city!"
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