them. He concluded by stating that he was in-favor of the Board of Education’s
requested budget in the amount of $38,369,823; noting that this was an increase of
$2,461,455or 6.85% over the current year’s budget.
Councilor Buhle stated that she has spoken passionately about the Board of Education’s
proposed budget at previous meetings. She stated she was a parent of a child who had
experienced a Magnet School and has since transferred to Ledyard’s Schools. She stated
as Superintendent Hartling has said, that Ledyard wanted to create schools that
encourage our residents to send our children to our schools, and not to send them to
other schools. She stated the Board of Education’s requested budget in the amount of
$38,369,823; would help to accomplish that goal. She stated the proposed budget Fiscal
Year 2024/2025 Education Budget included funding to help attract Substitute Teachers
and would provide positions such as a Social Worker and Clinical Supervisor noting that
these positions were an important piece for Special Education, which was Federally
Mandated.
Councilor Buhle went on to state the community elected a new Board of Education, who
has worked hard to prepare a Fiscal Year 2024/2025 that would support the areas that
mattered for Ledyard students.
Councilor Ryan stated since the Finance Committee’s March 20, 2024 meeting, that he
spoke stakeholders from both sides of the Budget, and he thanked Mayor Allyn, III,
Finance Director Matthew Bonin, Superintendent of Schools Jason Hartling, Board of
Education Finance Committee Chairman Joanne Kelley, and Board of Education
Member Anthony Favry for taking the time to talk with him. He stated they had frank
discussions about the budget in general and priorities, noting that he was in-favor of
addressing the fire alarm systems. However, he stated with regard to the Board of
Education’s Operational Budget, that although he believed that there was room for some
efficiencies, that it was not immense. He noted the General Government’s proposed
budget was extremely lean, noting that the town was able to offset some of their
contractual increases with savings in other areas; or as they have discussed, by kicking
things down the road. He stated that it was a shared sacrifice, noting that they were here
as a Team and that they had to work together on the budget. He stated he was a big fan
of giving the schools what they needed. However, he stated a 6.85% budget increase was
a little high; and that he believed that it would send the wrong message. He stated they
needed to show that the town was being aggressive and that they were trying to find the
efficiencies, while also funding the basic needs; and that they were moving the town
forward incrementally. He stated although the Town Council could not make
suggestions to specific Board of Education operational expense lines, that based on
discussions, that he believed there was some room for efficiencies. Therefore, he
suggested a 6.3% increase for a proposed Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Board of Education
Budget in the amount $38,170,595 instead of the 6.85% increase as the Board of
Education has requested. He stated an Education Budget in the amount of $38,170,595
would still be a significant increase to the Board of Education’s baseline Operational
Budget, noting that it would increase their expenditures by 6.3%. He stated with a 6.3%
increase that nothing was being cut from the Education Budget (fy 23/24).
Councilor Saccone stated although Ledyard was not trying to compare their Education
Budget to other Connecticut Towns, the fact was that they were seeing Board of
Education Budgets skyrocketing. He stated based on what other towns were doing that
they could see that increases were needed for their schools. Therefore, he stated that he
was in-favor of the proposed Board of Education’s budget increase. Councilor Ryan
