Amendments to reinstate funding failed in BOA Vote (updated 5/14/24)

Last year there was bipartisan support from the Board of Aldermen to reinstate full funding for our Board of Ed adopted budget — what a difference a year makes.

Last night two attempts were made to restore at least part of the $1.335M in Board of Finance cuts to our education budget.

The First Attempt

The first amendment to fully fund our Board of Education adopted budget was made by Alderman Arciuolo and seconded by Alderman Beatty. This amendment failed with 8 Democrats in favor and 7 Republicans against (10 votes were needed to pass).

The Attempted Compromise

A second amendment was made by Alderman Federico and seconded by Alderman Arciuolo to restore $600K to the education budget (restoring less than half of the Board of Finance reduction). Alderman Federico stated that this motion was an attempted compromise in hopes that at least two Republicans would vote with Democrats as 10 votes were required to pass. The amendment failed with 8 Democrats in favor and 7 Republicans against.

Full Funding Was Well Within Reach

In a surprising turn of events last night, technical amendments reduced the overall city budget by $1.5M due to savings on insurance costs, (including $1.4M for Board of Ed employee’s health care) so restoring the Board of Ed adopted budget would NOT have increased the final dollar amount of the final budget as recommended by the Board of Finance. The possibility of reinstating funds to education without impacting the Board of Finance’s recommended budget was described as a “slam dunk” for Milford citizens.

A Disappointing Outcome

Although $1.4M was saved in health care costs for Board of Ed employees, NONE of these savings were directed back to education. In fact, if health care costs for Board of Ed employees were factored into the total education budget, this year’s budget would stand at a NET DECREASE of .1 percent. Many city lines were increased with bipartisan support — including police, fire, public library, board of health and public works — yet an amendment on restoring funds cut from our Board of Ed adopted budget failed not once but twice. Mayor Giannattasio, who campaigned on his 2024 support for education funding, said this budget “puts Milford in the right direction.”

Do YOU think this budget puts Milford in the right direction?

If you are happy with how your aldermen voted please contact them and thank them. If you are not happy, please let them know as well. These representatives are all elected and empowered by you — your voice and your priorities matter. Educating our children is not a partisan issue. It is a community commitment, and we believe last night’s vote fell short of that commitment.

Here is how the votes broke down for both amendments:

District 1
Y Matt Arciuolo II (D)
N Andy Fowler (R)
N Jason Jenkins (R)

District 2
Y Robert Pacelli, Jr. (D)
Y Ward Willis (D)
N Scott Marlow (R)

District 3
Y Paul Healy (D)
Y Holly E. Mulrenan (D)
N Michael S. Casey (R)

District 4
Y Jennifer A. Federico (D)
Y Philip J. Vetro (D)
N Win Smith Jr. (R)

District 5
Y Ellen Russell Beatty (D)
N Bill Bevan (R)
N Raymond G. Vitali (R)

What Happens Next?

The Board of Ed is now forced to cut $1.335M from their adopted budget. They will meet Monday, May 20 at 7 pm to discuss and vote on where to cut $1.335M from this list of proposed deferred investments. This list includes critical investments in programs our students want and need to prepare themselves for the competitive economy of the 21st Century; upgrades to our sports and music programs; security and building projects that put us at future risk if not completed; specialized programming that will actually save money over time in out-of-district tuition; clinical therapy supports; and enhancements and updates to curriculum in Elementary, Middle and High School.

These initiatives were sacrificed to save just $60 a year for taxpayers owning a home valued at $500K.

Questions? Email us at milfordedadvocates@gmail.com.

Milford Ed Advocates