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New Haven schools present 2025-26 draft budget with $17.3 million shortfall; board to brief aldermen
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Negron and the finance team presented a proposed 2025-26 general fund budget that identifies roughly $17.3 million in remaining shortfall after $5.8 million in proposed reductions; the board will present the draft to the Board of Alders' finance committee next week.
New Haven Public Schools leadership on the board agenda presented a draft 2025-26 general fund budget that, after proposed cuts and adjustments, still shows an estimated gap of about $17.3 million.
Superintendent Dr. Negron and Chief of Finance Linda Hannans outlined revenue assumptions, grants and proposed reductions. The administration reported expected state Education Cost Sharing (ECS) funding of about $142.5 million and an Alliance grant component of about $28.4 million, and projected about $36.8 million in interdistrict grant revenue tied to magnet and open-choice students.
Finance staff said they have identified roughly $5.8 million in reductions so far — including personnel reductions that would equal about 103 positions, reduced summer-school offerings, elimination of non-student-facing part-time positions and a $1.5 million reduction in non-personnel costs — but that the cuts still leave a remaining shortfall near $17.3 million. "I don't know what else to cut," Superintendent Dr. Negron said during the presentation.
Board members pressed for clarity on the worst-case scenario and asked that the full implications be conveyed to state legislators and the Board of Alders. Finance and operations chair Mr. Wilcox and Mayor Elicker urged the administration to present both the already-identified reductions (about $5.8 million) and the larger $17.3 million shortfall so aldermen and state officials can see the full consequences of funding not increasing. Dr. Joyner and others said they would support community and faith-based engagement to help mitigate impacts to students.
Finance staff identified primary cost drivers as personnel (including negotiated salary and step changes), out-of-district special-education tuition and transportation. The administration noted uncertainty around federal grant flows, declining enrollment, escalating special-education costs, and aging facilities as complicating factors.
The draft budget will be presented to the Board of Alders' finance committee next week, and the administration said it will continue to seek cost reductions, grant opportunities and operational efficiencies while pursuing state funding changes to the ECS formula.
Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (03/04/2025): motion carried. Recorded votes included Doctor Benitez (yes), Mister Juarez (yes), Mister Wilcox (yes), Doctor Joiner (yes), Miss Downer (yes), Mayor Ellerker (yes). Ms. Colon and Mister Mussel were recorded absent. - Personnel report (superintendent): motion carried to accept retirements noted (Patricia Harkins, Thomas Merritt retiring June 30). Recorded votes included Wilcox (yes), Joiner (yes), Benitez (yes), Downer (yes), Suarez (yes), Mayor Ellerker (yes), Juarez (yes). - Purchase order, item 5.02 (year 4 of multi-year agreement with the Connecticut Association for Performing Arts): motion carried. - Purchase orders 7.02 and 7.03 (ABM coverage for permitted event support services and floor support at FLAC and high school locations): motion carried; Miss Downer recorded a "no" vote; other board members present recorded "yes" votes. - Final motion approving remaining abstract, one agreement, one amendment and two contracts listed on the agenda: motion carried.
No budget adoption vote occurred at this meeting; the presentation was informational and the administration will continue to refine revenue assumptions and reductions before formal adoption steps later in the budget cycle.
