2024-01-17 04:35:00
HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) – The Hartford Public School system is facing a $77 million deficit which could have a significant impact on thousands of children’s education.
Students and parents were able to voice their ideas on how to balance the budget in a board of education meeting Tuesday night.
The two major factors causing this deficit are inflation and a COVID-19 relief fund that’s set to expire.
While many students and families fear possible cuts, Hartford Public School leaders said that shouldn’t have to be the case. Instead, they are planning to resort to a financial model that was used before they got the COVID relief funding.
“That does not mean cutting current staff that means potentially reducing budgeted positions that are vacant currently. That means re-allocating some of our resources across schools so we’re more equitable,” said Jesse Sugarman a spokesperson for Hartford public schools.
The budget will be approved in April and until then students want to make sure their voices are heard as well.
Uzoma Chukwurah, Hartford’s Board of Education student representative spoke at Tuesday’s meeting.
“If students who have a strong connection to the school joined and gave input to what they see every day in their schools that other adults do not, then a stronger community could’ve been created and bring forth these concerns before a school budget is decided,” said Chukwurah.
“This is not a new situation for Hartford Public Schools, we’ve had a history of mitigating defecits and maintaing a high service for our students and families and we’re going to continue to do that,” said Sugarman.
It’s still early but the district said they will continue to hold public forums for students and families to give their opinions on this budget.
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