Milford School Chief’s Budget Proposal Includes Staff Reductions

By Brian McCready, Patch Editor

MILFORD, CT — Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Feser unveiled a $92.33 million budget for fiscal 2017-18, which increases spending by 724,632 or 0.79 percent over the current spending plan.

Feser presented her budget proposal to the Board of Education Monday night at the Parsons Government Center. Feser called her proposal a “responsible budget” and added, “what we’re asking for isn’t a whole lot.”

But Feser made it clear that the spending proposal does maintain current services for students and also allows the district to move forward in some key areas. The budget includes some program improvements largely because it also identifies almost $1.5 million in savings.

A bulk of the savings come from a proposal to reduce 14.4 full time teaching and three paraprofessional positions next year for a savings of $924,000. It is possible that with some teachers departing and some retiring that no one may end up losing their job, but that won’t be known until June, officials said.

The reduction in staff is made possible by a continued declining enrollment, which is common across the state. The current student enrollment is at 5,881 and it’s projected to decline to 5,698 pupils next year.

The Board of Education still needs to approve the superintendent’s budget and then it goes to the Finance Board and the Board of Aldermen too this spring.

Where Is the Money Going?

Student Learning

The district wants to make the robotics component of the middle school curriculum enhanced by adding more equipment. The current kits are 10 years old and need to be replaced, which will cost $23,400.

The district is adding a second Career Pathway, Entrepreneurship and Business Management next year for grade 9 students and the business labs need to be upgraded. Each lab will have new computers with wireless access costing $41,700 for both high schools. New furniture is needed and will cost an additional $26,640. No new staff is needed, officials said.

Next year, officials want to add a language lab at Harborside Middle School costing $32,441 which includes computers, tables and chairs. Both other middle schools have a language lab already.

Feser is proposing to purchase 168 Chromebooks for grade 7 science students across the district so they can perform their Science work on the internet. Traditional science textbooks are being replaced by open educational resources. The costs for this is $43,000.

Milford officials found out this fall that they are mandated to pay Bridgeport $165,000 in tuition fees for city students to attend magnet schools there. Milford has no choice but to foot the bill, officials said Monday.

Additionally, Milford must pay $25,000 to help pays costs associated with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation process at Joseph A. Foran High School.

Security and Climate

Feser is seeking to hire a residency/truancy officer costing $25,000. She said there is growing evidence that more and more students, who don’t actually reside in Milford are attending city schools, which costs taxpayers money. She said the costs can add up and the city needs someone to investigate residency complaints.

“In the capacity of Residency Officer this person would be able to dedicate the time needed to conduct surveillance on where a child lives, and if needed, gather the necessary evidence to enable us to dis-enroll the child,” Feser said.

The position would also deal with truancy concerns and truancy is defined as 18 days absent during a 181 day school year.

Feser is also seeking to hire a School Resource Officer position costing $40,000, which would allow each middle school to have its own. Currently, the three middle schools split two SRO positions. Each high school has its own SRO.

The school board and city split the funding for the SRO position.

Other Notable Facts About the Budget

School officials estimate saving $432,889 on educational supplies next year as less and less textbooks are being purchased as the district moves more toward technology. Also, the district is projecting to save $131,224 in its utilities account next year.

Next year, the district's approximately 580 teachers will receive a 3.1 percent on average pay increase.

“The budget being brought before you is about sustaining while continuously improving the school system,” Feser said. “We took much care to contain costs while maintaining supports to deepen our instructional program, provide ongoing professional development, keep our schools safe, and meet other financial obligations. We wish to continue to strengthen the Milford Public Schools as measured by the quality of its educational program and student performance.

Patch file photo