Politics & Government

$50 Million School Budget Proposed

Schools Superintendent requests a 3.1 percent increase over FY 2012 with focus on innovation through investment.

Faced with a seemingly easier task than , Branford Schools announced his proposal of a $50,695,603-budget – a 3.1 percent increase over .

To a crowd of more than 30 attendees – including community, Board of Education and RTM members – Hernandez led his presentation with a focus on presenting the theme of innovation through investment. Being positioned to invest in technology and the addition of a certified teaching position for a district-wide instructional coach was made possible through compression of the budget last year, stated Hernandez.

Hernandez was proud to note the major expenses of this year’s proposed budget, which includes salaries, benefits, transportation, utilities and tuition will be 93.1 percent of the total operating budget – a decrease from FY2012.

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“This piece, where we are two tenths of a percentage point less than the current year,” said Hernandez, “and we are able to innovate in these areas, makes Branford Public Schools a very, very desirable place.” 

Positioning the town for universal pre-k, an offering that is available at elementary school, is among the several key pieces of Hernandez’s plan for innovation through investment.

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Hernandez and the Board of Education will meet and at 7 p.m. in the faculty lounge to workshop the budget. The public is invited to attend.

In closing, Hernandez said, “We enjoy the benefits of good planning, good managing of the town’s finances and good support of the community when it comes to public education.”

Please check back with Patch for updates to this story. 


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