Middletown Schools Face Budget Cuts, Community Rallies

It's May 2nd. From your city to your ears, this is Hartford News today, powered by AI.

I'm Cory with the story. In Middletown, the school board's pushing for a $107.3 million

budget, a 4% jump from last year to keep. Programs strong.

But Mayor Jean Nasserah sliced off nearly 1 million, dropping it to 106.3 million in

his overall 261 million. City Plan, the district's already trimming

fat to cover basics by contracts and staffing, cutting 12.5 certified and non-certified

jobs, axing the international baccalaureate program at Lawrence Elementary and dropping

two kindergarten prep classes. They're juggling new moves too, like rolling out STEM across

all elementary schools and the summer program. Teachers, parents, and students pack the

April 28th public hearing, firing back hard. Biology teacher John Tucker shared his

low-income roots and how school investments changed his life. Social studies coach Trevor

Charles called education, the ultimate return on investment, and high school senior Leah

McMullen credited teachers for. Sparking her voice.

Resident Aaron Jones slammed the cuts as Pennywise and Pound Foolish, especially killing

a 5-year-old IB program and a STEM teacher at the new. $49 million McDonough, revamp. Common

council meets May 13th to lock in the final number. They control the lump sum, but schools

handle the spend. With voices rising for kids' futures, it'll be a close call on whether

full funding sticks or more slashes hit.