New Britain superintendent warns of possible $8 million funding shortfall, urges community engagement
Summary
The superintendent told the board the district faces a possible $8,000,000 "fiscal cliff" next year as key funding (including ECS/Alliance and special-education dollars) remains uncertain and urged outreach to the legislative delegation and early public engagement for the budget process.
The superintendent told the New Britain Board of Education the district is "still quite worried" about a potential fiscal shortfall that could be "perhaps as big as $8,000,000 for the coming year," and urged board members and residents to press legislators on education funding.
Why it matters: the superintendent said the district continues to participate on a statewide task force on special-education funding and flagged both special-education and ECS (also called Alliance in the report) funds as at risk. The warning frames the district—s early budget planning: the superintendent said the board will hold another budget workshop/forum and encouraged public participation before the board makes preliminary decisions.
The superintendent highlighted other items in the report, including recognitions for staff and students and steady academic gains. He noted that when the board hired district leadership three-and-a-half years ago, three elementary schools were in turnaround status; as of last month, that number was zero.
Board members discussed timing for a special budget meeting in January and the need to submit budget documents on a statutory timeline. One board member said budget materials must be turned in "by the 30th," and the board agreed to work on early outreach so residents can provide input before final decisions in the spring.
Next steps: the board agreed to schedule a special meeting in January to gather public input on the draft budget and to continue outreach to the legislative delegation about special-education and ECS/Alliance funding.
