SOUTHINGTON, CT — A marathon public hearing that grew emotional last week regarding proposed school budget cuts will continue as school supporters urged full funding while critics pressed officials to weigh the tax impacts.
As a result, the Southington Town Council on April 27 voted to keep its 2026-27 budget hearing open for additional input on Monday, May 11, when the council will reconvene.
The proposed $196,004,428 town/school spending plan represents a $7.54 million increase, or about 4 percent, over the current year.
It includes a proposed mill rate of 23.75, down from 32.80, though officials said individual tax bills will vary following the town’s recent property revaluation.
The April 27 hearing, held at the Municipal Center and continued from April 6, and it focused on the Southington Board of Finance’s recommendation to reduce the Southington Board of Education budget by $1.6 million — a move speakers said could eliminate about 22 positions.
Residents speak out
Many speakers warned the cuts could have long-term consequences for the town’s schools and economy.
Destiny Bartlett, a Southington High graduate with a master’s degree in education, said the reductions risk undermining the town’s future.
“We’re essentially trading our children’s futures for a temporary fix today,” Bartlett said. “You can’t cut your way to a better future.”
Bartlett added that declining school investment could deter young families from moving to Southington and weaken property values.
Michael Halloran, a parent of five students in the district, highlighted the opportunities provided by local schools, pointing to his children’s achievements in fields including nursing, engineering and skilled trades.
“This is not just a number,” Halloran said. “These are faces. These are people.”
Students also spoke against the proposed cuts.
Southington High School student Gavin Demello said support services funded through the school budget were critical to his success after being diagnosed with autism.
“That would not be possible without the amazing support and accommodations that I received,” Demello said. “I think to cut that money would be dissuading people from getting the help that they need.”
Erin Reilly, a single parent, acknowledged financial challenges but emphasized the broader responsibility to students.
“Our children, all of ours … their future is something that we get to provide them with based on decisions that you guys can make,” Reilly said.
Colleen Clark, an 18-year Southington Board of Education member speaking as a resident, said the budget reflects “what the community values” and supports small class sizes, student opportunities and staff resources.
“If the requested funding is reduced, the impact will be immediate and real,” Clark said, citing larger classes, fewer high school courses and reduced support services.
She added that strong schools help “maintain property values, attract families and businesses.”
Clark disputed claims that the school budget is excessive, noting the district has been under a spending freeze since December and lacks a contingency fund.
Jason Ghidini, president of the Southington Education Association and a middle school teacher, pointed to student civic engagement as evidence of the system’s value.
“These students are a direct product of the Southington school system,” Ghidini said, referencing middle schoolers who organized peers to attend meetings. “If we truly value students who think critically, lead and take action, then we must protect and invest in the system that developed them.”
Multiple residents echoed concerns about losing educators and weakening the district’s competitiveness.
Lindsay Veroneau said cuts would “directly shape the quality of the education our children receive” and risk driving teachers to other districts.
Patricia Gagliardi called the proposal “a reduction in people,” adding, “When we reduce staff, we reduce access, reduce opportunity.”
Several speakers tied school funding to broader economic impacts.
Denise Carabetta cited state data showing Southington’s per-pupil spending trails neighboring districts and warned that declining school quality could lower property values and push families elsewhere.
“As the schools go, so goes the town,” Carabetta said.
Others emphasized legal and operational risks.
Kimberly Troccolo said cutting special education and support staff could lead to violations of individualized education programs, potentially increasing long-term costs.
“Those savings today could cost the district significantly more tomorrow,” she said.
Parents and alumni also highlighted personal experiences.
Sarah Howard, a Southington High School graduate, said her success was rooted in small class sizes and staff support.
“Doing more with less eventually becomes doing less for children,” Howard said.
Shama Greene detailed the positions potentially affected, including teachers, specialists, and paraprofessionals, and questioned how the district would maintain services with fewer staff.
“This is not a theoretical impact,” Greene said. “This is a direct reduction in the people and programs that students rely on.”
Joseph Baczewski, a resident, called for restoring funding for existing staff positions while encouraging better collaboration in the budget process.
He said bigger structural changes, such as redistricting or consolidation, should be considered separately from the current budget cycle.
Across the hearing, speakers repeatedly framed the decision as a choice about community priorities.
“This is not just a budget decision,” said Elizabeth Pasqua, a parent. “It’s a statement about what this town values.”
Students, parents, staff concerned
Students spoke extensively, describing how support services and teachers contributed to their academic progress and well-being.
Several warned that larger class sizes and reduced staffing would make it harder for students to succeed.
Gavin Demello, a high school student, said specialized support helped him succeed after an autism diagnosis, while middle school students described improvements in reading and math due to targeted instruction.
Teachers and parents also raised concerns about long-term planning.
Sean Grindle, a fifth-grade teacher, called the cuts “shortsighted” and warned they could increase future costs by delaying early academic intervention.
“You’re not saving money,” Grindle said. “You’re going to be borrowing against our students’ futures.”
Kathy Riley-Dorlene criticized the budget process, arguing that previously approved teacher contracts are now being cited as a financial burden and warning that cuts could jeopardize programs like STEPS, which support student decision-making and social development.
Support for cuts
Not all speakers opposed reductions.
Susan Zabohonski, a Werking Street resident, called for fiscal restraint, citing economic pressures on households.
“Currently, many in our communities are struggling just to keep their homes,” Zabohonski said. “For many, this isn’t about a lack of appreciation for education. It’s about survival.”
Zabohonski also pushed back on the idea that reducing the proposed increase would necessarily mean cutting teachers, urging officials to consider “administrative efficiencies” and non-instructional costs.
Patricia Tavolozzi said recent increases in school funding and rising property assessments are straining taxpayers, particularly seniors and residents on fixed incomes.
“The biggest people hit are going to be the people with the small homes,” Tavolozzi said. “They may be forced to move out of their homes.”
Tavolozzi suggested examining nonessential spending and exploring alternatives such as user fees for extracurricular activities.
Council divided
Council members were divided on whether to close the public hearing or continue it, especially as it prepares to make a budget decision, perhaps as soon as next week.
In Southington, the town council votes to adopt the town/school budget per the recommendation of the finance board. There are no public votes.
Councilor Chris Palmieri supported keeping the hearing open to allow for additional feedback, particularly as new information may emerge from the state budget process.
Southington Town Attorney Anthony Martocchio agreed, saying “there could be a lot of information that changes trajectory, budget, and what may come in the next week or so.”
Councilor Tony Morrison argued the council had already heard from most stakeholders and should move toward deliberation.
“I’m not sure we’d hear anything more that would … persuade us one way or the other,” Morrison said, adding he wanted more time at the next meeting for council discussion.
Councilor Michael Del Santo echoed that sentiment but said additional comments should focus on new information rather than repeat earlier testimony.
Other council members, including Kristen Marie Guida, David Zoni, and vice chairperson Jennifer Clock, voiced support for keeping the hearing open to encourage broader participation.
Council Chairman Paul Chaplinsky, Jr.said the hearing will continue at the council’s May 11 meeting, where officials will balance additional public input with time for council debate before taking action on the budget.
“We have to save enough time for debate,” Chaplinsky said, noting meetings cannot extend past midnight under council rules.
Next steps: The public hearing will resume May 11, when residents can provide further input before the council moves toward a final budget decision.
For the minutes of the April 27 Southington Town Council Meeting, click on this link
From April 7: 'Budgetary Concerns Presented To Southington Council, Hearing Continued'
For the latest Southington budget information, click on this link.
For the latest Southington Board of Education budget information, click on this link.
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