At its regular full board meeting on Feb. 22, the Branford Board of Education unanimously passed a recommendation to increase the 2024-2025 annual budget to $65,865,845, representing a 4.7% annual increase. Image capture from www.branford.k12.ct.us
The Branford Board of Education (BOE) is recommending an annual budget of $65,865,845 for 2024-2025, representing a 4.7% annual increase. The BOE unanimously passed the recommended final line at its regular full board meeting on February 22nd. This budget recommendation will be sent to the Town of Branford for the 2024-2025 budget review process.
Superintendent Dr. Christopher Tranberg, who originally proposed a 4.88% increase in the annual budget, thanked the board for its feedback during the budget workshop. He explained the basis for the revision of the supplementary budget.
“We incorporated the feedback discussed and the modifications resulted in a 4.7% improvement. [annual increase], which is not dramatically lower than 4.88. I understand that. But based on your feedback, we have some very important changes, especially regarding student health and mental health support,” Tranberg said.
Tranberg said the first major task will include continuing needed support for the Effective School Solutions (ESS) program, which supports middle school and high school students.
“I was working on coming up with what seemed like a very creative collaborative plan to provide some of the support to Essar Cliffs, but that plan never materialized. That really dictates the need for us to maintain that' program for middle school, especially because it's so enriching in middle school,'' Tranberg said.
He said the program supports about 30 students, but the late notification did not allow time to properly plan alternative options.
“So, the ESS program for middle schools has resumed,” Tranberg said. “We moved the middle school budget to the high school to meet the needs of the high school. As a result, a new middle school social worker has been assigned to the high school to support the transition to high school.”
Tranberg also advocated the need for additional school psychologists.
“Given our needs and the increase in assessments, we are now at a stage where we need to borrow a little bit from some of our school psychologists at the primary level to support secondary education. It is not sustainable. “There is no, and it is not helpful for primary schools. So we think this will provide the necessary support,” he said.
Despite adding another program and another position, Tranberg said four other factors allowed for some readjustment of the original budget request, resulting in some savings. He said he was able to reduce the budget percentage increase. These included calculations based on several resignations and retirements. Unexpected changes in student tuition fees. Changes to insurance prerequisites due to Branford Public Schools (BPS) staffing levels. The superintendent then reduced supplies based on BOE workshop feedback and suggestions.
One area of the budget deliberation process that gathered public input during workshops and received support from the BOE was a call to avoid a proposed school facilities fee by a Branford-based sports league group. .
During public comment at the Feb. 22 meeting, Branford Women's Softball President David Falcigno thanked the BOE for its support.
“Being able to use the school building and grounds is very important to our organization as we operate on a limited budget. And hopefully, if the proposed Walsh field passes, I would like to thank It will benefit everyone,” Falcigno said.
The Superintendent's 2024-2025 Budget Presentation and the BOE Budget Q&A document are available on the BPS website under the “More” drop-down menu. Video of the BOE meeting will be streamed live and archived for viewing on the website: branford.k12.ct.us.
