Middletown superintendent proposes 3.99% FY27 budget; staff and community warn cuts would harm programs

Dr. Edley, Middletown School District’s interim superintendent, opened the March 10 board meeting with a budget overview that asked the board to support a 3.99% operating budget request for fiscal year 2027 while outlining $1.2 million in reductions from a 5.21% core-cost baseline.

The superintendent told the board the proposed budget sought to be "fiscally responsible" while protecting core academic programs, meeting statutory obligations and adding targeted behavioral supports and compliance staff. He cited a net expenditure per pupil of roughly $25,000 and an enrollment profile that is relatively stable over the next decade. He also said special-education enrollment has grown by more than 200 students in five years (a 37% increase), a major driver of cost pressure.

Why it matters

The budget presentation framed decisions the administration said were necessary to balance competing demands: rolling contractual costs and benefits forward would have produced a 5.21% increase; the superintendent proposed a lower request (3.99%) by identifying $1.2 million in reductions. The package includes personnel changes, program consolidations and grant-funded reallocations that the administration says preserve essential services but will reduce district head count by a net 12.5 full-time equivalents.

Details of proposed cuts and changes

- Staffing: The superintendent described seven high-school teaching positions proposed for elimination (two math, two ELA, one social studies, one science and one world language) and a net staffing reduction across the district of about 12.5 positions after grant offsets.

- Programs: The administration proposed eliminating one International Baccalaureate early-years program (listed at $235,000 annually), removing an innovation coach and Mcdana STEM teacher while shifting Project Lead The Way and elementary STEM oversight to a K–5 science coordinator.

- Early childhood and summer programs: The KPA preschool program (about $1.1 million total) was proposed to be reduced from seven to five sections with a sliding tuition scale expected to raise roughly $45,000; summer school was defended as a core Tier 2–3 intervention.

- Behavioral supports and compliance: To respond to increased behavioral and special-education needs the superintendent proposed three social workers, behavioral technicians in select elementary schools (Farm Hill, Snow, Bayfield), two special-education compliance positions and a district MTSS coordinator, funded in part through grants.

- Capital and operations: The presentation also flagged urgent capital needs — roof replacements, removal of aging oil tanks (Moody prioritized), replacement of boilers and upgrading hundreds of aging security cameras — and called for coordinated action with the city and potential outside grants.

Public reaction and exchanges

During an extended public-comment period dozens of teachers, students, parents and union representatives urged the board not to adopt reductions that would cut counselors, AP classes, SEAL/SEL staffing and other supports. Students said AP and extracurricular offerings matter for college access and school culture; teachers and union leaders warned that cutting certified staff would increase caseloads and erode day-to-day supports for struggling students.

Quotable: “If the budget is lowered, MHS will potentially have to cut things such as AP classes and extracurriculars,” said student Michaela Altonberger, arguing reductions would harm college prospects and school spirit. “Cutting staff members just doesn't align with creating better environments for our students to learn in,” said veteran teacher Trevor Charles.

Board process and next steps

The superintendent outlined the budget calendar — workshops with the board, a required meeting with the common council, the mayor’s budget presentation and subsequent public hearings — and invited board members and community members to ask questions and attend upcoming sessions. Board members asked procedural questions about vacancies, exit interviews and how grant-funded positions would be handled.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda reordering and consent items: adopted by voice vote (motions carried). - Healthy-food certification motions required by state statute (CGS 10-215F): board voted to certify and to allow limited exemptions for after-hours event sales and specific beverage exemptions; motions carried. - DECD grant resolution: board approved a resolution authorizing the superintendent to sign a Department of Economic and Community Development grant agreement that requires rapid processing.

What remains uncertain

The presentation left several operational questions to be resolved: which specific vacancies will be filled, how displaced responsibilities will be reassigned if positions are cut, and the final tally of any layoffs or reassignments once the board reviews and amends the request. Several commenters and board members asked for clearer operational plans for positions listed for elimination and for additional detail on the district’s contingency plans.

The board will continue budget workshops, hear public testimony at the municipal level and consider final action as the municipal and school budgets proceed through the common council and public hearing process.