It’s time – the superintendent’s proposed budget for Milford Public Schools will be unveiled on Monday, January 8th, 2024. Superintendent Cutaia will make this presentation to the Board of Education at the Board of Education Meeting room at Parsons Government Center at 7:00 pm.
Join the conversation as our Board of Education reviews the 2024-2025 Budget
- We urge you to attend the budget presentation in person, or watch online here.
- Check out the budget workshops on the 10th and 11th where the superintendent responds to questions from members of the Board of Ed. These are all public meetings.
- On Wednesday, January 17th, join us to watch the vote and make a comment in support of your budget priorities.
Milford has planned and carefully invested in our education programs. Our schools are providing quality programming for our current and future Milford population (see more in the Facilities Utilization Study here) with optimal student-to-teacher ratios in place.
Help ensure our schools maintain the quality of opportunities and choices available to children, and provide a stable learning environment for our families, teachers, and staff.
As the 2024-25 Milford education budget is developed and finalized, join us to reinforce key community priorities to officials on the Boards of Education, Finance and Aldermen!
Upcoming key dates
- Monday, January 8th – Budget presented to Board of Education
- Wednesday, January 10th – Budget workshop
- Thursday, January 11th – Budget workshop
- Wednesday, January 17th – Budget workshop and possible vote
- Thursday, January 18th (if needed) – Budget workshop and vote
2024 – 25 Budget Priorities set by Milford Public Schools and approved by the Board of Education:
Factors, constraints and assumptions that will impact the 2024-25 education budget:
- Economic factors: high inflation, supply chain challenges, continued labor shortages and growing need for competitive wage increases.
- These factors impact salaries, which make up 70% of the education budget. We have a contractual average increase of 3%, and the increase in minimum wage will impact the cost for hourly employees.
- Elementary school counselors (four certified positions) will move from grant funding to the general fund budget, as planned.
- Slight decrease in enrollment – from 5,338 students in 2022-23 to 5,284 students in 2023-24. This includes an increase at the elementary level of 32 students from projected enrollment.
- Health insurance plans for retirees are projected to increase by 13% – 14% (last year ended up coming in at 8% – 10%).
- Estimated 15% – 20% increase in special education tuition and transportation costs. Unanticipated costs can occur if a student transfers into the district or a student who is already in a specialized program requires a high level of intensive support due to medical complexities, unsafe behavior, or psychiatric needs. The district exhausts all options before recommending a student attend an out of district school.
- Transportation costs will rise by approximately 3%, reflecting the contractual increase with Durham Bus. High fuel (diesel and gasoline) prices will impact the 2024-2025 budget. MPS is working with the City to determine the strategy to lock into a fixed price for fuel based on economic and market conditions.
- Volatile energy market due to a number of global factors resulting in a shortage of natural gas supply and record high prices. We are currently locked into a low rate through December 2024 and working with energy consultants on a strategy to lock in the best price moving forward. Rates will be significantly higher (possibly double in amount) than the current rate.
- Right to Read Act – a Connecticut requirement for school districts to adopt a state approved literacy program, which is estimated to cost $1.1 – $1.5 million in the first year, including revising curriculum, materials purchase and professional learning.
- Two state mandates – HVAC system evaluation (potentially up to $500k impact, with a 1/1/25 deadline) and menstrual product dispensers (September 2024 deadline).
- Enhancements of safety and security measures, and continued participation in the SRO program with at 50% funding share with the City.
- Change in kindergarten age entrance enrollment date (from Jan 1st to Sept 1st birth date), and consideration of providing services to children who will turn five between Sept 1, 2024 and Dec 31, 2024.
Decisions around staffing and program redesign or development will be driven by their potential impact on raising student achievement while honoring the commitment to be fiscally responsible. The administration will also continue to make efforts to find efficiencies within the budget.
To learn more about budget priorities and assumptions from the source documents:
Discussion of priorities from the September 26th Board of Ed meeting here (starting at 1 hour and 26 minutes).
Read the meeting notes here (page 2).
Facility Utilization Study and Enrollment Projection Update
– SLAM October 23rd presentation of Facilities Utilization Study report to Board of Education
– Dr. Cutaia’s December 4th summary presentation of the study to Board of Aldermen
MilfordEd Advocates 