To the editor:
Last week, at the Bristol Warren Regional School District (BWRSD) Joint Finance Committee Meeting (JFC), the Town of Bristol and the Town of Warren made significant progress in demonstrating that education in a priority. The collective will of the JFC has taken a positive step in the right direction, demonstrated by two actions.
First, a 2 percent increase to the BWRSD budget from the previous was approved, more than has been approved over the last six years, combined. This is a deep commitment by the Town of Bristol which represents an increase of 4.14 percent from our local contribution last year.  
Second, discussing and considering to invest in a multi-year financial outlook to understand how we can take steps to align the interests of Bristol, Warren and BWRSD.
I do feel that public encouragement to “fully fund’ the budget that was requested by the BWRSD helped to move the needle in a direction that will continue to benefit our students.
As important as dollars to education, maybe more important, is our communities’ commitment to value education. Thank you for having a part in this.
Andy Tyska
26 Patricia Ann Drive, Bristol
Mr. Tyska is chairman of the Joint Finance Committee and a member of the Bristol Town Council.