EAST HAMPTON, CT (WFSB) - The Superintendent of East Hampton Public Schools released a statement saying a reduction in funding has the potential to result in significant staff cuts.
“There could be as many as 10-15 reductions to account for the loss in funding”, wrote Timothy M. Van Tasel, Superintendent of Schools.
In the statement, Tasel said the schools will make every effort to mitigate this impact, but it is a large budget cut to try and overcome.
The superintendent noted there will be a Town Council meeting on Tuesday, April 8 where the Board of Finance’s proposed reductions will be received by the town council.
Tasel also stated that funding cuts are happening across other schools in CT as well.
Read the superintendent’s full statement here:
The reduction in funding has the potential to result in significant reductions in personnel. While it is difficult to know exactly how many staff members, certified and classified, will be impacted, it is very possible that there could be as many as 10-15 reductions to account for the loss in funding that has been proposed by our Board of Finance. We will make every effort to mitigate this impact, but this is a large reduction to try and overcome. We had hoped to balance our deficit in next year’s proposal, as well as maintain the programs and services that have proven to be vital and beneficial to our students. Unfortunately, a reduction this size makes our sincere intentions an unlikely outcome.
This upcoming Wednesday, the Board of Finance’s proposed reductions to the Board of Education budget will be received by the Town Council. We are uncertain as to what measures may be taken to minimize the reduction to the education budget, but I anticipate there will be many community members who will voice their concerns to the Town Council regarding the Board of Finance’s proposed education. Significant efforts have been made this year to elucidate the challenges the Board of Education has been experiencing with escalating costs in special education, transportation and unanticipated expenses such as electricity cost increases and expensive mandates (HVAC and Reading programs to highlight just two). Yet, we still remain optimistic that there exists a path forward that will lessen the impact our schools may be facing. Our Town Council may be able to help with this.
Important to state, what is happening in East Hampton is occurring in communities across Connecticut. I am sure you are hearing similar stories elsewhere. We all need to receive the financial support that has been in place for decades - but lessening each year. The revenue provides important financial support that we rely on. Losing it is detrimental, and we are now seeing the effects of this. We remain very hopeful that state revenue projections will improve, more will be done to offset or stabilize the special education costs being we incur annually, and that schools will continue to be a priority for our Governor and legislature. This will ensure that towns like East Hampton will continue to offer a great educational program for our students and families, as well as protect the many municipal services that all residents of town depend on.
Copyright 2025 WFSB. All rights reserved.
