Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hartford board adopts $494.3 million budget as leaders call for state funding fixes
Summary
The Hartford Board of Education approved a $494,286,123 budget for fiscal 2026–27 after superintendent and CFO outlined a structural funding deficit and historic state and city increases; officials said further legislative action in January could still change funding.
The Hartford Board of Education on June 16 approved an itemized budget of $494,286,123 for the 2026–27 fiscal year, voting to adopt the resolution with the understanding that the state legislature could revisit municipal funding in January 2027.
Superintendent Townsel told the board the district has been “messaging a structural deficit” for months and that the newly approved budget reflects a mix of additional one‑time and recurring funds. Chief Financial Officer Caitlyn Richard said roughly $15 million in new state support and $10 million in city support narrowed an earlier $60 million shortfall but left about a $35 million gap that still needs structural fixes.
Richard described two cost drivers facing the district: tuition and student transportation. She said tuition line items total about $130 million and transportation about $40 million, and noted that approximately 30% of the district budget (about $155 million) pays for students who do not attend Hartford Public Schools — a figure she traced to open‑choice and special‑education placement costs.
The superintendent and CFO framed the budget vote as a stopgap that preserves services for students while the district, city and state press for longer‑term changes to how education is funded. Townsel urged continued advocacy with state lawmakers and pointed to study efforts — including a governor’s blue‑ribbon panel and SDE reviews — that could inform changes to education cost‑sharing and special‑education funding.
Board members voted by voice; the public record at the meeting did not include a roll‑call tally. The motion passed with the explicit caveat that the legislature’s January session could adjust state support for municipalities and districts.
Public commenters had urged the board to prioritize student services through the budget process. During public comment Nick Lebron told the board a proposed $120,000 cut to Catholic Charities would “directly translate into fewer services” and could force closure of school‑based food pantries that had served nearly 200 families in the past year.
What’s next: Superintendent Townsel and district staff said they will continue to press state and city leaders for structural funding changes and will provide implementation details to the board as the district finalizes contracts and staffing for the coming school year.
