Middletown board rejects proposed budget mitigation after hours of public comment on staffing cuts

The Middletown Board of Education voted down a proposed budget mitigation plan on June 17 after a long public session in which parents, students and staff urged the board to preserve STEM, special-education and career-technical positions.

The board had been presented with a mitigation package intended to close a $2,216,666 shortfall created by a reduced municipal contribution and falling one-time federal funds. Natalie Forbes, the district’s executive director of finance, told the board the district was showing a modest surplus for 2024–25 but faced “pain points” in certified and classified salaries, substitute services and out-of-district special-education tuition that together drove the need for reductions.

Forbes said the district has seen large, unexpected costs in certified sick leave and in contracted services for psychologists and speech-language pathologists. “We are looking at creative ways,” she said, referring to plans such as a proposed Legacy Academy designed to bring some students back in district and reduce out-of-district tuition and transport costs.

But the public comment period that preceded the vote was dominated by appeals to spare teaching and support positions. Dozens of parents, students and educators rose to oppose cuts at McDonough Elementary, where a STEM coach and an extension STEAM teacher were on the list for elimination. “It’s not fair or sustainable to expect the remaining staff to take on the 60-plus students we worked with weekly,” said former staffer Valerie Zimmer during public comment, urging the board to “restore the SEL and SES positions at Beaman and Middletown High.”

Students and parents described hands-on projects, competitions and mentorship that they said would disappear if positions were cut. “Cutting the STEM program and our STEAM coach position isn’t just cutting a budget line,” said student Anila Shokumbi. “It is cutting potentials.” Retired STEM teacher John Ferrero and classroom teachers described daily duties performed by the coach and extension teacher that they said kept makerspace, invention convention and science-fair work running at McDonough.

Separately, community members urged the board not to eliminate a manufacturing position at Middletown High School, citing industry certifications, HAAS scholarship pathways and local employer demand. A parent and community member who identified herself as Kate told the board that “eliminating this position would force students into fewer opportunities and potentially overcrowd other STEM courses.”

A motion to adopt the mitigation plan was moved and seconded and debated. After discussion and a roll-call vote, the board rejected the mitigation proposal.

The meeting also included routine business and other actions: board members voted to approve a schedule change and course addition (UConn early-college discrete math), approved personnel appointments and recognitions, and held an executive session to conduct the superintendent’s evaluation. A subsequent motion to extend the superintendent’s contract did not carry.

The board left open the possibility of further action: multiple board members said they want additional workshops to review central-office roles and the district’s administrative structure before making further staffing decisions. Finance staff said they would continue pursuing grants and program changes intended to reduce special-education out-of-district tuition and other high-cost items.

Votes at a glance - Motion to adopt agenda as amended (deleted several items for this meeting): carried. - Motion to pull item 12b (Board of Education evaluation) to executive session: carried. - Motion to approve the budget mitigation package to close $2,216,666 gap: failed (see transcript roll call). - Motion to approve UConn discrete math as a course option (early college experience): carried. - Motion to extend the superintendent’s contract (add one year to make a three-year term): failed.

What happens next Board members and administrators said they plan follow-up workshops and additional financial analysis. The administration pointed to ongoing grant work and the proposed Legacy Academy as avenues to reduce special-education tuition and transport costs in future years. District finance officials said they would return with additional details and scenarios.