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School Budget Now in City Council's Hands

By Jodie Mozdzer

April 22, 2009

The Hartford Board of Education Tuesday adopted its proposed $367.6 million budget for 2009-10.

Now the spending plan is in the hands of the city council.

The adopted budget doesn't change the bottom line that Superintendent Steven J. Adamowski proposed in March. But it does rearrange funds so that fewer jobs will be eliminated and about half of the proposed contingency fund will be allocated.

Instead of eliminating 254 positions, the budget eliminates 230. And about $3 million of the proposed $6 million reserve fund was redistributed. (Click here to see how).

Mayor Eddie A. Perez's budget proposal this week included a $3 million increase for school spending, which is accounted for in the board of education's proposal. Whether the council keeps that increase, which is balanced by a $3 million cut in city and library spending, remains to be seen.