Milford Schools Propose 4.7 Percent Budget Increase

MILFORD, CT — Milford Superintendent of Schools Anna Cutaia has proposed a $111.3 million budget for the 2024-25 school year, representing a 4.7 percent increase, or nearly $5 million, over the previous year.

In an executive summary of the budget, she said that the request is "higher than we typically see in Milford."

"Milford Public Schools, like many districts in Connecticut and across the nation, finds itself in a post-pandemic teaching and learning environment that is different than just a few years ago," Cutaia wrote. "Students have many more social/emotional and behavioral challenges, gaps in learning are more evident, more opportunities for acceleration are needed, and families need additional support."

Much of the 2024-25 increase, nearly 3 percent or $3.1 million, will go toward salaries and benefits, which make up a total of 76.78 percent of the budget. The second year of the teachers' contract amounts to an increase of $1.87 million.

The proposal also includes $522,603 for specialized programming "due to increased students needs."

Increases related to special education services total $399,533. Rises in transportation costs add another $295,607.

The proposal also includes $460,578 in potential savings. Areas to be cut include educational supplies, computers, and non-public transportation.

In September, the Board of Education released a set of budget assumptions. One of those assumptions was that in "an economy that is experiencing high inflation, a potential recession, supply chain issues, continued labor shortages and growing need for competitive wage increases, we anticipate a significant impact on multiple aspects of the 2024-2025 budget."

Last year, Milford schools sought a 4.39 percent, or $106 million, increase over the previous year.

See related: Milford Schools Release Budget Assumptions, Several Challenges Exist