The Hartford City Council recently passed a budget without allocating any additional funds to the public schools, despite pleas from families and teachers. The decision comes after the district had to cut 387 positions due to a lack of funding following the end of COVID-19 relief money.
A group of advocates rallied at city hall to express their concerns and push for more funding for the schools. The president of the Hartford Federation of Teachers, Carol Gale, emphasized the need for additional funding to retain certified professionals and support staff in schools.
Parents are worried about the long-term impact of millions of dollars in cuts on students, especially in a city where the majority of the population is Black and brown. They believe underfunding education sends a painful message to young people.
While the city’s budget allocates more money to the police and fire departments, councilmembers cited state law restrictions as a reason for not being able to provide additional funding to the public school district. However, they acknowledged the consequences of flat-funding schools for the past decade.
Despite some financial relief announcements from the mayor, parents are determined to continue fighting for fair funding for the schools. They see the budget decision as an opportunity to unite with teachers and students to advocate for better resources.
The board of education is set to discuss extending the superintendent’s contract, but the teachers’ union and others are calling for more dialogue on the budget crisis and potential changes in board members before any approvals are made.