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NORWALK, Conn. — With teacher layoffs looming in Norwalk, a group of Common Council members announced Friday they will ask the city for up to an extra $1.8 million to block the cuts.
The seven council members — comprising six Democrats and one unaffiliated member — will discuss making the request at Tuesday's Common Council meeting.
“The Board of Ed may end this fiscal year with a small surplus which can be used to help close the budget gap,” District E Councilman John Igneri said in a press release.
In April, the school district discovered a $4 million budget shortfall. Superintendent Susan Marks' spending plan, meant to close the gap, was approved Thursday night by the Board of Education. The spending cuts include teacher layoffs.
The council members say they will ask the city for a special appropriation to cover the remaining shortfall. Council members supporting the resolution in addition to Igneri, are unaffiliated member Michael Geake (District B) and Democrats Anna Duleep (at-large), Warren Peña (at-large), Matt Miklave (District A), David Watts (District A) and Carvin Hilliard (District B).
Comments (2)
Drew, Wake up. This isn't about the kids for these people. They are trying to make political hay and you are helping them. The council can't give away 2M dollars from rainy day funds. Its not their role, so this is meaning less. The real leader of these fools has said...if they vote for it, I win and am the hero. If they don't vote for it, I win because they're the bad guys. Not the kids win, not the party wins, but I win, meaning him and him alone. Realize that the class size is going to get a little bigger and work with your kids rather than complaining.
I appreciate the proposal by the democrats. And not that I would just like to point them out but they seem to be the ONLY on the council trying every which way they can to support the schools which is more then I could say for my republican brethren. I would like to add one thought to this proposal: I feel that an amendment demanding that the BOE use this $1.8 to reinstate as many teachers and aides as possible. That is fair and must be done especially to a school like Wolfpit that is getting gutted by loosing 5 teachers! I will be there on Tuesday night voicing my support for this proposal and once again I THANK them for standing up for the students and the future of this city.