Residents urge full funding for schools and libraries as Ordinance Committee forwards $260 million budget to council

Stratford — Dozens of residents told the Ordinance Committee on March 11 that cutting school and library staff would harm students and the broader community, while the committee voted unanimously to send the proposed $260,014,370 annual budget and a proposed tax rate package to the full Town Council with no recommendation.

"Please fully fund the education budget that Interim Superintendent Heather Borges has proposed," said Christina Edzema Maciunas, a 28‑year Stratford Public Schools teacher and resident, warning that proposed cuts would eliminate reading and math teachers, librarians and the Alpha program. "We cannot bear to see such a devastating situation."

The public testimony, which included teachers, parents, students and library officials, repeatedly urged the council to approve funding near the superintendent's request. Several speakers cited a requested 6.69% increase for the school district (also discussed as a 6.5% threshold by witnesses) as necessary to avoid layoffs, larger classes and reduced services.

"A strong library makes for a strong community," said Maria Ferrara, president of the Stratford Library Board, who presented library metrics including that roughly 53% of residents hold library cards and that librarians have answered more than 61,000 questions in the past year. Ferrara said the mayor's proposed budget leaves a library shortfall exceeding $200,000 and warned that the gap could force reductions to staff, hours and programs.

Parents and educators described the library and school specialists as essential for low‑income families, digital access and early literacy. A Stratford High student, Elle Youngquist, said library programs let families participate in events at no cost, and volunteers run programs that provide critical community connections.

Speakers also criticized the mayor's smaller proposed increase. "Her proposed budget increase of 1.68% tells us where her priorities lie," said resident Jeff Blanchett, a public high school counselor, urging the council to support the superintendent's recommendation.

After public comments and brief committee discussion about the mechanics of budget transfers from the general fund, the committee took formal action. A motion to send item 2.1, the annual budget totaling $260,014,370, to the Town Council with no recommendation was made and seconded; the committee voted unanimously to forward it. The committee also voted unanimously to forward proposed mill rates — 40.2 mills on the grand list (excluding motor vehicles) and 32.46 mills on the motor vehicle grand list (grand list date 10/01/2023) — to the council with no recommendation. The motions allow the full council to debate and amend the proposals.

The ordinance committee’s chair, Alan Lewellen, described the forwarding vote as a procedural step to permit full council discussion and amendments. Committee members also asked staff about whether operating transfers from the general fund (used previously for EMS, WPCA and ARPA allocations) could be applied to budget revenues; town staff and counsel indicated the matter requires standard procedural consideration and does not preclude later council amendments.

What happens next

The ordinance committee did not adopt the budget or tax rate; both items were forwarded to the Town Council for further debate, amendment and final votes. The ordinance committee adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

Votes at a glance

• Forward annual budget (item 2.1), $260,014,370, to Town Council with no recommendation — motion carried unanimously.

• Forward proposed tax rates (40.2 mills on the grand list; 32.46 mills on motor vehicle grand list) to Town Council with no recommendation — motion carried unanimously.

(Quotes and figures are from public testimony and committee proceedings at the March 11, 2024 Ordinance Committee meeting.)