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Date: 4/5/2022
GRANBY – The Granby School Committee hosted a public forum to discuss the fiscal year 2023 (FY23) budget on March 28.
According to Superintendent Stephen Sullivan, the budget has not yet been finalized, but they are seeking feedback for its current stage.
He started by emphasizing the strategic priorities of Granby Public Schools. These priorities are to continue to offer innovative and continuous learning experiences, celebrate success and engage with the community, have proper resources to sustain best possible learning experiences and to focus on social, emotional and physical well-being.
“When we plan the budget we plan with these types of priorities in mind,” said Sullivan.
Sullivan said there are four action areas that go into developing the budget. These are research, analysis, action and then management.
As of right now, the total school operating budget for FY23 will be $8,528,912.
The expense drivers of the budget are student learning options, inflation, increased costs in special education, necessary repairs and maintenance of the Granby Junior Senior High School, new technology and an increase in low income families attending the schools.
According to Sullivan, there may need to be some cuts within the schools to reduce a budget deficit. These cuts and reductions could include an administrative assistant position, a custodian position, athletics and extracurriculars, instructional and support staff, a school nurse position and more.
“It doesn’t mean that you have to cut $50,000 so you have to cut athletic programs, right? There’s some contingencies that are built in the budget and I think that’s financially responsible to have some in place, but these are likely going to be the first things that get cut,” said Sullivan.
He reiterated that nothing within the budget is finalized yet and that they are still looking at all of their options.
When finalizing the budget in the coming months, they will keep their budget priorities in mind.
These priorities are providing the best for teachers and students instead of always having to do the best that they have, providing high quality instruction for all student, providing resources, materials and training for staff to support all students, providing social emotional learning/support and extracurricular activities and equipping the schools with 21st century technology.