House Republican Press Release

March 6, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

MONROE EDUCATION GROUP MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVE HOVEY

Hartford—On Wednesday, March 5, 2008,  State Rep. DebraLee Hovey met in Monroe with members of the Monroe Public Schools Parents Council and Interim Superintendent of Schools John Getz. The group met with Rep. Hovey prior to the start of the Legislature’s session that day.

Rep. Hovey, who serves as Ranking Member (House Republican Leader) of the Legislature’s Education Committee, detailed both recent and proposed legislation impacting education statewide. Among the topics discussed were the recent law that requires schools to keep students in school buildings when they are serving suspensions, which is a particular concern to the council, said Council Co-President Kathy Moraveck.

Proposed legislation that was discussed included ‘green schools’ bills. Health authorities have indicated exposure to certain toxic cleaning chemicals used in school buildings can lead to serious health ailments. New legislation would prohibit the use of any cleaning product containing a toxic substance inside schools.

Rep. Hovey also suggested the council consider making a targeted collaborative effort that would fit in with the “One Thing” marketing campaign started by Governor M. Jodi Rell in 2007.  That campaign is designed to make a positive contribution to the environment by building on the enormous impact that could be achieved if every person in Connecticut did one thing, every day, to help conserve all forms of energy and renewable resources.

Rep. Hovey said encouraging students to recycle water bottles and use tap water as a filling source could serve as an effective project. Such an effort would help reduce the amount of plastics in the waste stream, she said.

“The meeting was an excellent opportunity for dialog with local education supporters and our superintendent,” said Rep. Hovey. “I always enjoy talking with the group and hearing their concerns and always welcome their input. We also do some good problem solving, which I take back to Hartford.”

The council is comprised of representatives from the parents' clubs of each of Monroe's six public schools and provides a forum for members to share information about their respective schools, fundraising activities, and other topics of interest.  These representatives act as liaisons between Parents' Council and their school PTO or parents' club.