Milford Superintendent Proposes 2.28% Schools Budget Increase

MILFORD, CT — Milford Public Schools officials have proposed a $102 million budget for the 2022-23 school year, representing a 2.28 percent increase over last year's adopted budget.

Over three-quarters of the proposed budget would fund salaries and benefits. Superintendent Dr. Anna Cutaia said overall salary accounts have increased because of contractual obligations, and said the school is also funding 11 new positions — among them four elementary teachers who were hired to account for increased enrollment patterns.

Additionally, three middle school counselors and one teacher leader for student development and wellness will now be paid out of the general fund budget, rather than through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) 2 grant money the school system received because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In fact, Cutaia called the proposed budget "a multi-year response to the impact of the pandemic virus" in a letter to the Milford Board of Education. She said the proposal addresses the mental health and social emotional needs of students and staff.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected building operations as well, and Cutaia said the budget accounts for those modifications — like a $50,000 increase in electricity costs that stems from mitigation strategies like exhaust fans, and a $170,000 increase in natural gas costs due to global supply shortages and changing energy policies.

"While the pandemic virus has a direct impact on our daily operations, what we are particularly witnessing is how it has and continues to affect our students and staff in regards to teaching and learning and, especially in the area of mental health and social emotional needs," Cutaia said. "This budget responds to those particular needs, at least the needs that we know of as of now."