New Britain schools fear ‘catastrophe' if additional $18.9 million in funding not met
The superintendent of the Consolidated School District of New Britain said there will be catastrophic cuts to staffing and programs if the district’s funding needs are not met next year.
Tony Gasper, the superintendent, said the district needs an additional $18.9 million for the next school year to maintain current operations.
You can read the CSDNB budget here.
Outplaced special education tuition, salaries, and transportation are among the items driving the increase in costs, with special education tuition being the highest.
Gasper said city funding has been flat or minimal over the years, and the annual $8 million Alliance District funding they relied on is no longer available for next year.
At a board of education meeting this month, the superintendent says there’s no fat to cut.
“The board does not want to cut any services, the superintendent does not want to lay off any staff,” Gasper said at a board of education meeting this month. “We may be forced into that.”
The mayor’s proposed budget for next year includes a $1 million increase for the board of education, with a plan to raise that funding each year of his administration.
There’s also a $2.6 million decrease in grants and contributions.
You can read the mayor’s budget here.
A spokesperson for the mayor said in a statement:
“Mayor Bobby Sanchez’s proposed FY27 budget increases education funding under the Minimum Budget Requirement by $1 million, creating a new floor that provides greater stability and a clear path for continued annual growth. That marks a meaningful shift from the failed pattern of the past, where school funding too often bounced between flat budgets and one-time infusions that did not create lasting progress. Our schools cannot be built on temporary fixes. They need steady, reliable increases that allow for real planning and long-term improvement. This administration is making that commitment and intends to build on that foundation each year. The City will continue partnering with the Board of Education and pressing the State for additional support, but City taxpayers alone cannot undo decades of underfunding from previous administrations in a single budget cycle.
The grants and contributions referenced in prior budgets were one-time revenues that, by their nature, were not a sustainable source for ongoing operating expenses such as teachers in classrooms, student support services, or other recurring costs. While one-time funds can be useful for temporary needs, such as equipment or special purchases, they do not create the stable foundation our schools need for the future. This budget moves away from the inconsistent practice of relying on temporary funding sources and instead prioritizes recurring local investment that schools, families, and educators can count on year after year.”
Gasper also issued a statement:
“During my time in working with Mayor Sanchez while he represented us in the legislature, I knew him to be a staunch advocate for our schools. The release of the Mayor’s budget that includes a reduction in overall funding is perplexing and troubling. Our only hope at this point is Common Council and the State Legislature providing strong financial support to our school district. Due to how the district has been funded in the past, for 2026-27 our gap is $18.9 million. This is not for new of improved programming. This is the number to avoid layoffs and budget cuts. So, to see a budget proposal that actually cuts local funding, means that we must prepare for catastrophic cuts in staffing and programs. This is a real shame in the face of the progress that we’ve made over the past three years.”
Rue Weldon, a parent of two elementary school students, said possible cuts are concerning.
“It’s definitely stressful to think about because they’re already at their limit,” she said. “I think teachers are tired and overworked and underpaid, so I think it’s already a problem.”
The mayor’s budget has to be approved by the common council.
A public hearing on the mayor’s budget is set for 6:30 p.m. on April 28 at City Hall.
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