The Town of Stratford's Ordinance Committee held a special budget workshop on March 20, 2024, focusing on the proposed Board of Education budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025. The meeting featured discussions on the implications of budget cuts on educational resources, particularly for students with special needs.

The workshop began with a community member expressing concerns about the dropout rates among low and middle-income families, emphasizing the importance of adequate educational resources. The speaker highlighted that cuts to the education budget could lead to long-term negative outcomes for students, including a lack of necessary skills for higher education and career opportunities. They questioned whether the district was prepared to address these challenges in future budgets, particularly regarding staffing for special education and health care.

Acting Superintendent Borges responded, noting that while they strive to project future budget needs, the high percentage of personnel costs complicates forecasting. She acknowledged the increasing needs of students and mentioned efforts to secure additional grants to supplement the budget, although these resources are limited. Borges pointed out that the district has expanded school-based health clinics to provide more mental health support, but emphasized the need for ongoing efforts to meet student needs.

Another community member criticized the proposed budget as austerity-driven, questioning which personnel or programs would be cut from the original budget request. They noted that previous budget cuts had already negatively impacted literacy rates, citing a significant drop in book circulation at local middle schools after librarian positions were eliminated. The speaker linked early literacy skills to long-term educational outcomes and the risk of incarceration, urging the committee to reconsider cuts to certified librarians in elementary schools.

Borges acknowledged the potential impact of removing librarian positions, affirming the importance of maintaining educational resources. The discussion also touched on demographic changes within the school system, noting an increase in students of color since 2018 and the consistent requests from superintendents for increased funding to support these students.

The meeting concluded with a call for the town council to reconsider its stance on educational funding, highlighting the correlation between school funding and student achievement. The committee's discussions underscored the urgent need for adequate resources to support Stratford's students and the potential consequences of continued budget cuts.