New Haven announces $16.4 million budget surplus, plans to fund NHPS school upgrades

New Haven Public Schools is getting a big budget increase: $8.5 million to help cover operating costs and upgrade buildings.

The funding follows calls from parents, teachers and students regarding infrastructure issues inside school buildings.

“This is the result of the efforts of people who are expressing concern, people who are committed to ensuring that our children once again receive the public education they deserve,” said Superintendent Dr. Madeline Negrón.

Mayor Justin Elicker announced the funding in a year-end budget update Thursday, in which he said the city had $16.4 million in excess savings. He proposes that $3 million be dedicated to operating expenses and $5.5 million from unused ARPA funds be dedicated to capital improvements.

Elicker said the money would help after calls for action regarding building conditions that he said have not been adequately maintained over the years.

“In some cases our buildings have libraries, or a library is closed because there is mold in the building, our buildings have leaks,” he said, adding that there were also breakdowns with HVAC systems.

Leslie Blatteau, president of the New Haven Federation of Teachers union, has been a leading voice in addressing infrastructure issues. Most recently, she participated in a protest Monday calling for more federal funding for public schools.

“It’s really powerful to take action and see a response come a few days later,” Blatteau said. “And again, we want to make sure that accountability and transparency are part of that. »

She says she’s excited about the money, meaning layoffs aren’t on the cards and there is funding for building repairs. She says she wants to make sure their voices continue to be heard.

“We need to know that the community and the unions will be at the table to decide how this $5.5 million will be spent in capital funds,” Blatteau said.

Superintendent Madeline Negrón said there’s a list of projects that need to be done – and now there’s a way to solve the immediate and long-term problems.

“It’s a good start, we know more will be needed, but again, that’s the power of collective advocacy,” she said.

This is the fourth year the city has finished with a positive budget after facing a $66 million budget deficit in 2021.

“And so, when you look back three years ago, when we were frankly in a real moment of crisis and how dramatically our situation has changed, it’s because the state increased its funding, it’s because “That Yale has increased its funding is because of the work our team has done to actually use that funding in a way that stabilizes our finances,” Elicker said.

The city has also made a spectacular shift in savings. Elicker said the rainy day fund was negative $10 million in 2018. With the remainder of the year’s $13.4 million surplus, there is now more than $50 million in the city’s savings fund.

“The City of New Haven’s financial position is on stronger footing than it has been in many, many years, and we still have much work to do,” Elicker said.

He added that the city still faced serious challenges. They have $2.5 billion in unfunded liabilities due to underfunded pensions, excessive borrowing over decades and retiree health care payments.

And, even though they contribute more to pension payments and now have $50 million in savings, the mayor says financial planning points to a savings target of $113 million.