New Haven Public Schools to present proposed budget book while facing nearly $19M deficit

New Haven Public Schools is set to present its proposed budget Monday evening as officials grapple with a nearly $19 million deficit and outline strategies to balance spending for the upcoming school year.

At a Board of Education meeting, district leaders are expected to present two budget scenarios: a $252 million request and a $232 million reduction.

“Tonight you will hear a $252 million request. You will hear a little bit about the $232 million adjusted request,” said Amilcar Hernandez, the district’s chief financial officer.

The higher request would address the district’s $18.9 million deficit and allow officials to restore some programs and services that were previously cut.

The lower figure, Hernandez said, would maintain current operations but leave little room for expansion.

The proposal comes as the district’s budget has steadily increased over the past several years.

School officials reported the budget at about $195.3 million in fiscal year 2023, rising to $203.3 million in 2024, $208.3 million in 2025, and $213.3 million in 2026.

The proposed $252.3 million budget for fiscal year 2027 represents a significant jump of roughly $39 million from the current year.

Hernandez said much of the increase is driven by personnel costs, which account for about 44% of the budget and continue to rise annually.

“That is a cost that increases year over year,” Hernandez said. “Tonight you will hear more details on how much each of the bargaining units are receiving compared to this year.”

District officials are also exploring ways to reduce expenses, including efforts to streamline transportation services.

Hernandez said the district has begun reviewing bus routes and reducing the number of buses where possible.

“Part of our mitigation efforts include figuring out ways to audit the different routes, decrease the number of buses, and we’ve made some progress toward that end,” he said.

The budget discussion comes amid broader calls across Connecticut for increased state education funding.

Advocates have urged lawmakers to raise the Education Cost Sharing formula — the primary source of state aid to local districts — which has remained unchanged since 2013.

“We would like for that conversation now to translate into tangible legislative action at the state level,” Hernandez said. “Not only to solve our issue for next year, but to create a sustainable path.”

The Board of Education meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday at King Robinson School in New Haven.

Additional discussions are expected in the coming months, with a final budget vote anticipated in June.

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