[All Opinion pieces and Letters to the Editor reflect ONLY the thoughts of the writer, and not those of the Stratford Crier or its Editorial Board.]
A Follow up and update on the Facts of the Stratford Board of Education
Councilman Alvin O’Neal – District – 3
Town of Stratford
It’s no secret the 2023 budget discussions for Stratford heavily focused on addressing the financial needs of the Board of Education (BOE).
To recap some key figures: the Superintendent initially requested $133 million, which was later adjusted by the BOE to $129 million. Both of these figures excluded the additional $5.1 million in new Education Cost Sharing (ECS) funds.
With support from several council members, I successfully advocated for an additional
$500,000, leading to a total funding increase of $6.626 million from FY24, bringing the overall allocation to $129.5 million.
As we conclude the first quarter of FY25, I believe the town is seeing positive financial trends, with progress surpassing expectations. This early success underscores the strength of our financial planning, positioning the Board of Education (BOE) to effectively support Stratford’s schools and students.
Moving into the second quarter, I believe it is crucial to evaluate how the BOE is managing its resources and whether concerns about potential underfunding during budget discussions were justified. This assessment is key to maintaining a collaborative atmosphere, as we want to avoid the divisive conversations that surfaced during this year’s budget session.
A key point to highlight is that the BOE closed FY24 with significantly more unspent funds than anticipated. During budget conversations, we were led to believe they would end the year with a much tighter balance. In reality, the BOE finished FY24 with a surplus of over $1.5 million.
Of that, $1 million has been legally carried over into FY25, giving the BOE a financial cushion that should ease some of the BOE’s concerns moving forward.
In addition to this unspent balance, the BOE ended FY24 with $16.5 million in state and federal grants. The early signs for FY25 suggest that the Board of Ed is on track to receive an even higher return in grant funding, which by my estimation is fantastic news for Stratford students and taxpayers alike. These grants provide critical resources without directly impacting our local tax base, keeping education well-funded while balancing the burden on our taxpayers.
This brings us to the broader question of how these funds are allocated and whether the “buckets” state, federal, or local money matter as much as the overall result.
From where we stand today, the BOE looks to be well-positioned for FY25, with over $7.6 million in additional funds from FY24 these sources ensuring Stratford students have access to the education they deserve.
Looking ahead, I remain committed to advocating for as much funding as necessary for our students while remaining mindful of our taxpayers. Whenever possible, I will continue to push for the use of state and federal grants to lighten the load on local taxes.
I believe we are on track not only to meet the BOE’s needs but to exceed our projections. While the budget process is never easy, the combined efforts of the Town Council and the Board of Education are ensuring a brighter future for Stratford’s schools and community.
