During a recent special budget workshop held by the Town of Stratford Ordinance Committee, discussions centered on the importance of transparency in the school district's administrative salaries and the future of grant-funded positions.

One key point raised was the lack of detailed breakdowns for administrative salaries within the Board of Education's budget. A committee member expressed concern over the absence of specific figures for headquarters staff, contrasting them with the clear listings for school principals. This lack of clarity raises questions about potential discrepancies in compensation between the school district and town-level positions, particularly for roles such as HR and financial directors. The committee member emphasized that while the differences may not be substantial, every dollar counts when it comes to funding educational resources for students.

In response, officials acknowledged that while the breakdowns exist, they may not be as clear as needed. They also noted that the HR director's salary in the school district is lower than that of the town's HR director, indicating a potential area for further examination.

Another significant topic discussed was the future of positions currently funded through grants, such as the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) and Alliance grants. Concerns were raised about the sustainability of these roles, especially in light of the impending end of ESSER grants, which were a crucial financial resource during the pandemic. The committee member urged for a strategic plan to gradually transition these positions into the operating budget to avoid facing a financial "cliff" in the future.

The discussions highlighted the committee's commitment to ensuring that budgetary decisions are made with the best interests of the community's children in mind. As the town navigates its financial planning, the focus remains on maintaining transparency and preparing for future funding challenges.