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Parents, teachers and unions press board for $2.4M and protest staffing cuts as budget advances
Summary
More than a dozen public commenters — teachers, union leaders and parents — urged the Middletown Board of Education on June 3 to seek the district's full funding need (about $2.4 million) instead of requesting $505,000; the board voted to bring the proposed budget forward as outlined.
Dozens of residents, teachers and union leaders told the Middletown Board of Education on June 3 that the district needs substantially more than the $505,000 being requested from the city and that proposed staffing cuts will harm students.
"Education is simply not an expense. It's an investment," Christina Mitchell, a special education teacher and parent, told the board. "Reducing positions that work directly with students and my child means fewer opportunities for individualized support and fewer trusted adults available to help children succeed."
Multiple speakers said the mayor and common council had made money available but the board's request was too small. Roberta Downer, president of the Middletown Federation of Teachers, said the district still faced roughly $2.4 million in unmet need: "The board is only requesting an additional 505,000. I struggle to understand why we're negotiating against ourselves before the conversation even begins."
Other speakers described the practical effects of underfunding: Jim Goudreau, MSAA president and principal of Lawrence Elementary School, urged the board to finalize the budget quickly to allow administrators to place staff and warned of payroll timing constraints, saying the fiscal-year payroll period ends June 12. "That means that if you make a decision to cut a curriculum supervisor and they don't have another position that they're going into, that their last paycheck is June 12," he said.
Union leaders criticized communication and the lack of labor engagement. Brooke Carter, president of AFSCME Local 1467, said the board had not meaningfully engaged employees and warned that eliminating positions without bargaining could trigger prohibited-practice complaints under the Municipal Employee Relations Act and add legal costs.
Public commenters also objected to proposed program cuts. Aaron Jones urged the board to preserve long-term programs such as the International Baccalaureate at Lawrence and STEM initiatives at McDonough, saying dismantling those programs undermines growth strategies that brought families and improved results.
Board members acknowledged community concern. A board member said the board had proposed a no-cut budget initially but the common council did not accept it; another said there are limits to what the board can secure from the council. The board ultimately voted to "bring this forward as it's outlined," putting the recommended budget up for a vote after discussion and a roll-call.
The meeting closed with the board asking administrative staff to continue reviewing possible adjustments and with plans for additional budget work, as public advocates urged more aggressive pursuit of state and local funds to avoid cuts to direct student services.
