West Haven school district seeks increased city funding amid budget challenges

Funding for West Haven Schools Takes Center Stage at City Council Meeting

During the West Haven City Council meeting on March 10, 2025, discussions about educational funding highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the local school district. School officials expressed gratitude for last year's full funding but emphasized the need for consistent annual increases from the city to avoid falling behind.

The conversation centered around the educational cost-sharing grant, which has not seen an increase since February 2016. School representatives stressed the importance of a gradual increase in city contributions to ensure the district can meet its growing needs. "It's a long time not to receive an increase from the municipality," one official noted, underscoring the financial strain on urban school districts like West Haven.

The budget breakdown revealed that a significant portion—53%—is allocated to salaries, with an additional 22% for benefits and 10% for special education tuition. Officials pointed out that transportation costs are rising, further straining the budget. Despite these challenges, they remain hopeful, citing the alliance grant as a crucial lifeline over the past decade.

A key point of discussion was the recent teacher contract negotiations, which resulted in a $2.5 million raise for educators. While the contract was unanimously approved, officials acknowledged that West Haven still struggles to remain competitive in attracting and retaining teachers, particularly in shortage areas like science and special education.

As the meeting concluded, the urgency for increased funding and support from the city was clear. School leaders reiterated their commitment to providing quality education but warned that without adequate financial backing, the district's ability to thrive could be jeopardized.