A stencil at Marvin Elementary School in August, 2020.
NORWALK, Conn. — The “cliff” feared by Norwalk Public Schools now has a dollar figure attached to it – 27 million.
If you assume the City continues its “0% increase” for school funding in the 2022-23 operating budget as it’s doing for 2021-22, then the “cliff,” the amount of schools’ increase that will result three years down the road when the federal COVID-19 funds dry up, could be 13%, Norwalk Public Schools Chief Financial Officer Thomas Hamilton said at Tuesday’s Common Council meeting.
The Council held a largely ceremonial review of the operating budget, affirming approval of the Board of Estimate and Taxation’s plan in the absence of any action needed by Council members. There will be no tax increase for Norwalk citizens due to the American Rescue Plan, passed by Congress after the Council set its cap, Finance Committee Chairman Greg Burnett (D-At Large) explained. City-side expenses will be offset by $12.9 million in federal funds and Norwalk’s expected $8 million drawdown from the Rainy Day Fund is off the table.