Big Win for Schools as Council Passes Annual City Budget

In a unanimous vote, Common Council members passed a budget for 2019-2020 that will increase the mill rate by 1.2 mills for a total of 36 mills.

According to the Common Council, the budget provides a 5.9% increase in the school budget over last year's budget, while the city side of the budget is essentially flat for the coming year.

Council votes unanimously to accept the budget.

While the increase for the BOE includes savings from a recently re-negotiated health insurance contract, and counts an estimated holdover from this year's budget, school finance personnel count the actual budget increase at 5.08% or a $4,239,563 increase.

A few dozen community members came out to support the budget.

BOE member Ed Ford, who is running for the Common Council as a Republican, was one of many who credited Superintendent Michael Conner's progressive education plan, and a budget linked to specific goals.

"Dr. Conner's plan is a comprehensive plan that was crafted after many hours of community involvement," Ford said.  "It's an investment into our kids, our future and our city."

Kellin Atherton, a parent of young pre-school children, emphasized the positive effects of pre-school education.

"I can see what it means to invest in young children," Atherton said.  "I really see education as a cure-all that can have a positive effect on quality of life and solving social problems like crime and addiction."

Bishop William McKissick also praised Conner's work, and asked the council to support the budget.

"Don't leave our children behind," McKissick said.  "But give them what they need to succeed."

Bishop McKissick supports
the education budget.

Many Council members spoke in favor of passing the budget.

"We are committed to invest in education," Council member Gerry Daley said.  "And while it represents a real reduction of $1.5 million from what the Board of Ed requested, it's an unprecedented increase."

"I don't think you'll see any budget like this in the State of Connecticut," Council member Gene Nocera said. "It provides the Board of Education with the kind of financial investment it needs."

"Now is not the time to let off the gas," Council member Rob Blanchard said, invoking an automobile metaphor that would linger through the debate.  "We're making the investment, and we're already seeing the results."

Council member Giuliano
offers an amendment.

Minority leader Seb Giuliano, who announced earlier in the day that he would be a candidate for mayor, offered an amendment that would cut all additional funding for education.

"When I look at the budget, I feel like the guy in the old car, and I want a new one, but I can't figure out how to afford it," Giuliano said.  "Until we can figure out the answers to meet the obligations in the future, we're going to have to drive the old car for another year."

"I've driven a lot of old cars," Council member Rob Blanchard countered.  "And they needed lots of work, and I deferred that work, and it cost me more in the end.  I think we need to make the right investment while we can."

While all Republican council members voted for Giuliano's amendment, it was defeated in a party-line vote, and all council members, Republicans included, voted for the final budget proposal.