NORWALK, Conn. – A tax increase is likely next year, according to a Republican councilman, but Norwalk Superintendent of Schools Manny Rivera said he is hoping for some creative readjusting and outside funding to help him begin reaching his goal of transforming the Norwalk school district.
It’s going to take an additional $4 to $5 million to maintain a same-services budget next year, Board of Education Finance Committee Chairman Mike Barbis said recently. Rivera said Monday night that he will be announcing figures with his budget presentation toward the end of the year, but confirmed that the budget needs will be in excess of $4 million over the current year’s total. The teachers’ pay raise of 4.23 percent, following this year’s pay freeze won in arbitration, will account for a $3.26 million hike.
“To the extent that we can drive additional aid from other state sources will be important,” Rivera said. “I am constantly out there seeking more foundation funding.”
Councilman Jerry Petrini (R-District D) said last week after winning re-election that the first thing the new council will do is get to work on the budget.
“I’m not going to promise there won’t be a tax increase. I don’t see how we can avoid that because of looking at the preliminary budget for the board of ed and all the other departments, which we really try to keep them in check to be realistic for the times,” he said. “The times are tough but we do have contractual obligations to the fine people that work for the city of Norwalk. I’m hoping that we can try to keep it a compromise, keep it to what you need, not what you want. That’s very important. People are struggling out there.”
Rivera has laid out ambitious plans for the school system, looking to make Norwalk the first school district with more than 10,000 students to significantly close the achievement gap. On Monday night he spoke about lengthening educational time with after school programs.
“There are so many benefits that can come from really quality after-school learning opportunities, if we can get businesses, for example, that might be able to loan some executives part time, and some are willing, we could double and triple the number of kids that are involved in robotics clubs after schools,” he said.
He also said summer school program should be easily available to all Norwalk children, not just those who score poorly on tests, and spoke of building a state of the art learning environment.
Rivera and BOE officials are working on a multi-year budget plan, establishing long-range priorities.
But how can he make progress in changing Norwalk Public Schools’ culture in next year’s tough budget?
“I’m looking creatively at how we may be reallocating resources that we currently use,” he said. “I’m also, to be very frank, depending on foundations, hopefully to be part of our transformation here in Norwalk. I’ve been approaching several foundations that do these funds to do some initiatives that we know work for children and families. It’s that, plus counting on a level of local and state dollars that we are going to need. We need to have our local and state share meet the obligations that we’re going to have to get a quality educational program going here.”
Like others, Rivera said the state’s Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) formula must be changed.
“Most people across the state are not aware of the needs and the challenges that we face, that many of our families face here in Norwalk,” he said. “So we end up getting classified with other high property wealth districts. Other elements of that formula are not weighted to the point where they should be.”
Rivera said he has had an initial meeting with Mayor-elect Harry Rilling.
“He has expressed his support and I am really looking forward to sitting down with him and getting into greater detail,” Rivera said.
Petrini said the Republicans will work with Rilling.
“We have to support our mayor and work together to make Norwalk forward,” he said. “It’s not partisan as far as I am concerned, we just need to do the right thing for the people of Norwalk.”
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