Hartford school district, parents to advocate to state for help in closing $45 million budget deficit
Taking steps to balance the books. Hartford Public Schools is facing a multi-million-dollar deficit in next year’s school budget, and now the district is turning to parents to advocate to state lawmakers.
“They’re doing the best they can, and I support Hartford 100 percent. I love all the teachers and everything they put on the table for my daughter,” Marsha Johnson, a parent, said.
Johnson supports Hartford Public Schools as the mother of a first-grader with special needs, but she believes there should be greater investment.
“It’s absolutely necessary and I would love to have a little bit more. Every parent wants more for their kids,” Johnson said.
But it won’t be easy. The Hartford school district is facing a $45 million deficit for next year’s budget. School officials say rising special education costs are a big factor. To close the gap, it wants help from the state.
“We have our team going together with our family and other stakeholders to advocate for things that shall happen to get us out of the deficit,” Superintendent Dr. Andraé Townsel said.
They’re inviting parents to be part of the effort, working together to ensure the funding formula keeps up with inflation and that last year’s special education law is fully funded. The district says this could bring in $70 million dollars. Dr. Townsel says they’re seeing improvements in attendance and reading. He believes getting more funding will keep that trend going.
“We have positive momentum going. The goal is to sustain that over time,” he said.
He says his team is also reviewing all contracts to ensure funds are spent wisely.
“If there’s no academic return on investment, we might shut it down, and that’s what we’re doing,” he said.
Earlier this month, in his State of the State address, Gov. Ned Lamont focused on reining in education costs, putting additional funding into question, but parents believe they can work with the state on a path forward.
“We want to see Hartford succeed. We want to see the schools succeed and that means also seeing our kids succeed,” Lin Hart, a parent, said.
NBC Connecticut reached out to the governor’s office and they said in response:
“Since taking office, Governor Lamont’s budgets have increased school funding by 22%, which has made our schools among the best in the country. As for funding in the next budget adjustment, the Governor continues to meet with legislative leaders and looks forward to an agreement that continues to support our state’s outstanding schools.”
There will be an Education Committee hearing happening this Friday at the state capitol, and parents are expected to show up and advocate for more funding for Hartford.
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