As demonstrators oppose school budget cuts, Norwich City Council ask residents to speak up

As the budget season nears the end, there’s still one big discrepancy; a close to $4 million difference between what Norwich Public Schools wants, and what the city is willing to give.

Since the state hadn’t finished its budget process yet, the Norwich City Council voted to wait one more week, per the city charter, before approving a budget. There will be a special meeting on Monday at 7:30 p.m. for the budget.

Outside of City Hall, members of the Connecticut Education Association (CEA) wore #RedforED shirts, and held signs saying “Budget cuts hurt kids.” The group received honks of approval from passing drivers.

“Programing cuts mean staff cuts, which means less education, “ Michael Casey, CEA representative and Uniserve representative, said.

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The job cuts can mean larger class sizes and fewer services available to students. Post-pandemic, children need the extra resources to keep up in school while dealing with social and emotional issues, CEA Training and Organizational Development Specialist Gloria Diamond said.

The CEA also wants to make this issue clear for parents, Diamond said.

“They don’t necessarily know what the cuts will look like, and we want to make them aware of that,” she said.

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Numerous people inside city hall, including Norwich Public Schools administrators and Board of Education members, came to show support. Some bringing the CEA signs inside.

During the public comment period, Board Chair Robert Aldi argued that reduced funding for the schools, and in turn needing to reduce staff, impacts other parts of the city.

“That does not bring new business and new people to our city,” he said.

Some members of the public, including John Blackburn, felt it was inappropriate for people who were concerned about the school budget to show up this late in the process when they weren’t attending budget meetings in April and May, and saying teacher layoffs are an empty threat by the district.

“Now they’re waiting until the last minute to plead their case,” he said.

Any budget decision that results in a tax increase would result in a greater burden for elderly residents like Blackburn, he said.

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Afterward, Superintendent Kristen Stringfellow remained hopeful that education and programming would be supported in full. If the district has to make cuts, the extent won’t be known until after the budget passes, and the district will try to avoid cuts to academics and student programs, she said.

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With the decision to wait until next week for the budget vote, the Norwich City Council also decided to allow more public comment on the budget at that meeting and encourages people to attend and share their concerns. Councilmember Bill Nash especially wants people to attend, recalling how empty the council chambers were earlier in the budget season.

“This is how we hear what you want to say,” he said, the first meeting after winning his re-election.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich CT schools may face budget cuts. City Councilors set to vote.