New Haven Register (Sunday) (New Haven, CT)
Schools seek funding increase
EAST HAVEN — Town Council members had plenty of questions during the first workshop for the town’s 2021-22 budget plans, but none pertaining to the $49 million proposed for education, more than half of town spending.
Superintendent of Schools Erica Forte, who made a case for the school district’s proposed 2.14 percent spend
ing increase at the end of the threehour session Thursday, said the increase would help keep the district competitive and moving forward.
“We all maintain a deep awareness of what we are currently faced with (fiscally) and the challenges brought on by the pandemic,” Forte said.
There will be three more workshops as town departments take turns making their case for funding. Education will make a return appearance to answer questions on April 8.
The public will have the opportunity to weigh in on the education request during a public hearing at 7 p.m. April 14. A public hearing on the town side of the budget will follow at 7 p.m. April 19.
A budget is expected to be adopted at a special meeting of the council on April 22.
All sessions will be broadcast on Zoom with the public only invited to participate virtually during the April 14 and 19 sessions.
Mayor Joseph Carfora recently outlined a $93.4 million town budget that keeps spending — and taxes — in line with this year, but would give the school system a $50,000 increase, not the $1 million increase requested.
Michelle Benivegna, the town’s assistant director of administration, said the school system did not get all of what it asked for because some of its numbers are still in flux and the district also is expected to receive more federal COVID relief funds.
Forte acknowledged some unsettled contracts could result in savings before the start of the fiscal year but said the stimulus money is restricted for one-time expenses and can’t be used on the operating budget.
“We are really trying to get creative and be very diligent about leveraging additional funds in (the Every Student Succeeds Act) grant to enhance programming,” Forte said.
The district is in the process of applying for a new $2.9 million COVID relief grant that must be used to close the achievement gap, accelerate learning, provide interventions, increase family engagement and boost technology and school building air quality.
As for the operating budget request, Forte said most of the increase goes toward contractual salary increases and six new teachers across the district’s eight schools.
Three new positions at the high schools — teachers of business, art and math — would help the district retain the block schedule it instituted during the pandemic to promote social distancing while allowing for more electives and fewer study halls.
The new elementary positions are in response to enrollment projections. The district this year added a new bilingual teacher and is seeing an increase in second language learners, who now represent 9 percent of the district’s 2,894 students.
This school year, while many districts ran school in a remote or hybrid manner, East Haven opened fully while still providing a remote option for students kept home.
Forte called it a “big lift.” Despite some disruptions, Forte said the East Haven school district continues to focus on boosting participation in college readiness courses and increasing the graduation rate while reducing chronic absenteeism and out-of-school suspensions.
Before the March 2020 shutdown, test scores in East Haven were on the rise.
“We believe this request meets the focus on continued academic and social and emotional growth and achievement for our students,” Forte said. “Our district needs to be competitive along the shoreline.”
TOWN SIDE
On the town side, the overall budget stays the same with some funds shifted between departments.
Town Finance Chairwoman Noreen Clough called it a very fair budget that manages to increase services but not taxes.
The finance board approved the mayor’s bottom line as presented last month. The biggest change is the consolidation of some positions from social services and counseling to the town’s senior citizen budget.
Senior Center Director Bob Petrucelli said the new staff members in his proposed $343,568 budget are shifted from other line items. Some services also will be taken over by an outside agency without a reduction of services, the council was told.
“It is a huge savings for the town and a win-win for multiple departments,” Benivegna said.
About 180 residents use the town’s counseling services, town officials said.
With mental health issues brought on by the pandemic, board Chairman Joseph Deko said it was important the service not be neglected or reduced since the demand could rise.
One area the council did seem poised to alter was its own proposed $82,250 budget. Members of the 15-member Town Council currently get a $50 monthly stipend.
Calling it a hot topic, Deko proposed reducing it to $1 a month. Other council members said they agreed.
The stipend can’t be eliminated entirely without a charter change, officials said. The charter also dictates when the change can take place: after the November 2021 election.
A budget workshop slated for 6:30 p.m. Monday will see 11 town departments, including police, the library, animal shelter and public works, discuss spending. A link to view the workshop can be found on the town’s website.