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Superintendent says FY27 gap narrowed to about $6M; proposes high-school transportation opt-in to save up to $620,000
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Negron told the New Haven School District board that state and municipal proposals have reduced the projected FY27 budget gap to roughly $6 million and outlined a high‑school transportation opt‑in plan expected to save about $620,000 plus additional savings from route consolidation.
Superintendent Dr. Alberto Negron told the Board of Education on May 26 that the district’s FY27 budget posture has improved but still faces a shortfall.
Negron recapped the superintendent’s budget proposal of $232,144,167 and said the district had been facing an $18.9 million gap. She said a mayoral proposal of $5 million, combined with state supplemental education grants and alder allocations, would reduce the shortfall. "Out of that $7,900,000, 7,600,000 is a direct allocation from the state to boards of eds," Negron said, and after the mayoral and state actions the gap "is now reduced to $6,000,000." She added the board of alder discussion that evening could finalize allocations to close the remaining deficit.
The superintendent also presented two transportation recommendations aimed at operational savings. The first is a high-school opt-in plan that the administration estimates could save about $620,000. The second would eliminate seven small routes and transition some students to bus passes for estimated additional savings of roughly $217,000. The district said it will launch an opt-in process on its website and via the Apogee messaging platform beginning Thursday, with repeated email reminders every three days; families must respond by June 18 or the district will assume they do not need transportation. The district plans confirmation emails to families who opt in by June 22 and final transportation details the week of Aug. 17.
Board member Mister Wilcox suggested additional outreach methods (letters or phone calls) for families with limited email access; Dr. Negron said school leaders, weekly reports, and community outreach partners would assist with follow-up.
Board member Mary (first name as recorded) cautioned that state supplemental education funds are one-time allocations and said multiyear planning will require continued advocacy next legislative session. "The supplemental education fund is a one-time fund," she told the board, adding that the district should plan accordingly.
No formal vote was required on the transportation recommendations that evening; the superintendent framed the presentation as a policy and outreach plan the district will implement if families opt in.
