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New Britain school leaders warn special-education costs threaten services as council refers budget
Summary
School leaders told the Common Council that rising special-education and transportation costs — combined with uncertain state reimbursements — threaten core services; the council removed the general fund budget from the table and referred it with a neutral recommendation.
School officials told the New Britain Common Council on Tuesday that spiking special-education costs and higher transportation contracts are the largest drivers of a proposed FY25-26 general fund budget and that uncertainty over state reimbursements makes planning difficult.
"These are not optional line items. They are essential services mandated by law and ethics," said Laura Bulki, a New Britain native and district staff member, during the meeting’s public-comment period, urging the council not to approve cuts that would reduce special-education or transportation services. Holmes Elementary Principal Heather Nickel told the council the request was "for survival," saying mounting cuts could make it impossible for principals and teachers to sustain current…
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