Middletown Schools Face Budget Cuts, Community Rallies

0:00It'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

1:02Charles 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.