Parents weigh in on proposed school budget
NORWALK — Parents got the chance to weigh in on next year’s proposed school budget during a Monday presentation hosted by the city’s PTO Council.
Superintendent of Schools Steven J. Adamowski and Chief Financial Officer Thomas Hamilton walked the group through the $216 million budget ask, which was first presented last week to the Board of Education and members of the Common Council.
Adamowski characterized this budget — up 7 percent from this year — as one that could bring equity to the district by increasing per pupil spending and investing in programs like year-round school at Kendall School, which is meant to address the achievement gap at Norwalk’s lowest performing school.
Adamowski acknowledged the ask was large, but said the city was in a fortuitous position, citing Norwalk’s roughly $70 million “rainy day fund,” which is the largest of any municipality’s in the state.
“If we can’t do this this time, we can never do it,” Adamowski said. “I think it’s going to be possible to do this without a great deal of effort and angst on the part of the city. We may never have this circumstance again. If this is not the time to achieve equity and justice for our children, I don’t know when that time is.”
Education board member and Finance Committee Chair Barbara MeyerMitchell noted for three consecutive years the city had not fully funded the
BOE budget. Still, parents wondered whether the ask was too large, and whether money allocated to certain priorities — like school choice programs — might cut into funding for other important budget items, like teacher’s aides, if the full request isn’t met.
“I think that what everybody has on their mind, or what I have on my mind, is that we’re saying that we need to do these things, and the money’s not there and we have to ask for more,” said parent Mark Mastriani. “You’re cutting some programs and then investing in others.”
One parent asked for an update on the new Columbus School at the old Ely School, which now will require the city’s purchase of a parcel of land to meet the state open-space requirement. Adamowski said progress was being made.
“I’m confident that this is eventually going to be worked through,” Adamowski
said. “It’s not good timing because we want to be able to move Columbus there so we can renovate the existing Columbus.”
Ponus Ridge Middle School teacher and Norwalk Federation of Teachers Vice President Joe Giandurco questioned an expanded partnership with the Carver Center to provide after-school programs, for which the budget allots $300,000. As part of the partnership, the center would offer more programs for elementary school students, but Giandurco asked whether it be able to take on the additional workload.
“We have had a discussion with their board,” Adamowski said. “Their board feels confident that they can do this. They’re embracing this. They have some doors that have upped the ante, so they can. That seems like our best route at the time.”