ENFIELD, Conn. — The Enfield Board of Education voted to pass the budget for the 2025 fiscal year in a 7-2 vote Wednesday, but not without push back on the proposed spending.
The budget was expected to be about $6.5 million short to be fully funded, but instead was over $9.5 million short, leading to a record number of teachers and staff who will lose their jobs and many services and programs getting cut.
“Very sad day for Enfield and public education agenda,” Andrew Longley, assistant superintendent of Enfield schools, said.
20% of teachers will not be in their classroom in Enfield come this fall.
“I want to remind everyone, for every position or program, there is a real person behind it," Longley said. "These professionals have dedicated their careers here, and we are shattering their livelihood, their family life, and I'm sure their mental well being. This is simply not a good day.”
The assistant superintendent laid out how the cuts will impact the schools, explaining that 130 staff members will be laid off – all of the middle school and 9th grade sports will be cut – and many additional programs and services, especially those for students with high needs, will be eliminated.
“We have a few goals in mind. Fulfill all legal obligations to the district, make sure we can open schools as safely as possible, do our best not to impact kindergarten class sizes and spread the cuts out throughout the district as easily as possible," Longley said.
The cuts will increase most class sizes upwards of 28 students in a room.
Some of the board were absolutely devastated by these cuts and said it will impact the children the most.
Others on the board think too much money is already being allocated towards education and say other services in town are suffering as well with cuts.
“If you got a beef, go after the state," Peter Jonaitis, vice chairman, said.
Alexa Farrell is a reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at afarrell@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
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