ADVOCACY ALERT – Monday, April 15, 5:30 pm at City Hall is YOUR OPPORTUNITY to speak and appeal to our Board of Aldermen to reinstate $1.335M cut from our BOE adopted budget.
RSVP to our Facebook event and share with friends.
The Board of Ed 2024-25 adopted budget of $111,285,770 reflected a 4.7% increase over the previous year’s budget and stands as a prudent financial commitment to the ongoing advancement of Milford Public Schools, especially considering Milford’s strong grand list and fiscal health.
The appointed Board of Finance voted on March 20th to reduce this by 1.335M
How will this cut affect our schools?
This cut will have significant programmatic impact that forces us to DEFER INVESTMENTS in:
- Programs our students want and need to prepare themselves for the competitive economy of the 21st Century:
- Digital Media
- World Languages (ASL in Middle School)
- Engineering and Design
- Esports
- Upgrades to our sports and music programs:
- Replacing musical instruments (Middle and High)
- New band uniforms (Foran)
- Summer Sports Training (High Schools)
- Projects that put us at future risk if not completed:
- Security cameras and computers
- Buildings and grounds repair and maintenance
- Firewall upgrades for cybersecurity
- Specialized programming that will actually save money over time in out-of-district tuition:
- Behavioral Support Program
- Specialized Support Program
- Clinical Therapy Supports
- additional clinical therapy supports not covered by grant from Bridges
- Enhancements and updates to Curriculum (partial list!)
- Middle School
- Addition of American Sign Language
- World Language digital textbooks/resources
- Updated seating in English Classrooms to support a more student focused instructional model
- High School
- New textbooks for AP US Government & Politics and AP Environmental Science courses
- Software for Personal Finance
- Digital textbooks for Statistics and Calculus courses
- updated seating in Math Classrooms to support a more student focused instructional model
- New textbook for Medical Mysteries course
- Middle School
Last year the Board of Aldermen, the Democratic majority and Republican minority, with Mayor Giannattasio in the position of Minority Leader, showed bipartisan and unanimous support for restoring education funding, following a diligent process of consideration and strong community support.
Again this year, we will look to our elected Alders for their diligence. And, we call on Mayor Giannattasio to keep his campaign promise and prominently advocate for education funding.
Education lies at the heart of a vibrant Milford community. Another year of deferred investments risks weakening our community and diminishing Milford’s appeal to small businesses and homeowners alike.
I want to make my voice heard – what can I do to support Milford schools? Send an email to your Alderman, and sign up for updates here and follow us on Facebook. The next step will be the Board of Aldermen budget hearings, beginning with public comment at City Hall around mid-April. We’ll send an update when the date is available.
Where can I learn more about the Board of Ed’s proposed budget?
What is the significance of the Board of Finance recommendation? Milford’s appointed Board of Finance voted for a significant reduction of $1.3M to the Board of Education’s proposed 2024-25 budget.
Thank you to Lauren A. Ranges (R) and Brian Lema (D) for their support of the full BOE budget. We agree with Ms. Ranges who noted the budget as presented represents a “proper investment for the city. We are financially healthy, we have a large grand list, and our revenue is up. The budget is thoughtfully and intentionally created and represents the clear and continued progress and good work of Milford Public Schools.”
The motion to approve failed in a 2-3 vote. A second motion reducing the proposed budget by $1.3M was approved with Scott Moulton (R) Ray Arnold (D) and Megan Smith (D) voting in favor of the reduction. We are surprised and deeply frustrated that we are once again facing a significant reduction to a proposed BOE budget made by these same three individuals who recommended cuts last year.
Watch the meeting here:
MilfordEd Advocates 