Hernandez Proposes 2.95 Percent Budget Increase for Schools

The budget season is getting into full swing as Branford Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez presented his proposed budget – titled ”Systemic Improvement by Reallocating Resources" – of $51,780,381 on Jan. 31. The proposed figure for 2013-14 is a 2.95 percent increase.

The increase is the smallest requested over the past three years with a 3.1 percent increase requested for 2012-13 and a 3.97 percent increase requested for 2011-12.

Hernandez outlined the expectations of this budget, including "supporting the migration to the Common Core State Standards," expanding PreK opportunities and "developing and implementing a quality summer learning program for selected elementary students."

He noted that, with the proposed budget, teacher supervision/evaluation would improve from a 1:30 ration to 1:23 and the PreK program would expand from 45 to 75 seats.

The first budget workshop was held on Jan. 31 and the next will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Branford High School library.

Check out the Branford School District's website for the superintendent's entire presentation, which includes a breakdown of the proposed budget, school enrollment, town data and more.

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