Finance Committee to Review Board of Education Budget Tonight

Tonight, a nearly month-long controversy over education funding will come to a head when Meriden schools Superintendent Mark Benigni and City Manager Lawrence Kendzior each present their own versions – with a nearly $2 million difference between them – of next year's Board of Education budget to the city's Finance Committee.

Prior to the 6 p.m. meeting in City Hall's council chambers, advocates from Meriden Children First, the Meriden-Wallingford NAACP, and the Meriden Family Resource Centers will hold a 5:30 p.m. press conference on the steps of the Board of Education building at 22 Liberty Street. The groups hope to rally support for the board's budget request, which includes a $1.7 million increase in funds from the city for the 2011-2012 operating year.

After dropping its original request, the BOE is now asking for a 1.7 percent increase in city dollars, making its total request $101,331,334. But in Kendzior's budget, he plans to fund the district at the same level as 2010-2011 and 2009-2010.

Kendzior said that he believes the BOE overestimates its costs when budgeting, having returned $500,000 to the city in the last fiscal year and prepaid other costs.

"Historically, actual expenditures in many areas have been significantly less than the amounts appropriated in the Board budget, and appropriated amounts have been significantly less than the amounts requested," Kendzior said in his budget proposal.

Education advocates say the district has had to cut 75 teachers in the past four years, resulting in more than 50 classrooms bearing more than 25 students in them. This year, the district is already planning to cut 26 more positions, even if it receives the increase.

"I don’t think we can sustain the good work without some increases," said Benigni in an early March interview. "Without any additional funding again this year, you’re going to see a reduction in staff and programs."

The decision will be up to city councilors after tonight's presentation. Councilors are expected to vote on a final budget by early May, after hearing presentations by other departments and a public hearing.