Dr. Semmel's Monthly Update
March 2024
On February 6, 2024, the Board of Education (BOE) unanimously adopted their 2024-2025 Budget. The adopted budget is generally lean as its main focus is to retain our needed literacy and math coaches. The budget also seeks to add two teachers at Trumbull High School so that we can take better advantage of the new bell schedule and offer more elective courses to our students. The budget increase (5.34%) is highly driven by contractual increases in staff wages, benefit costs, and inflation. There is much more information on the budget section of our website.
The budget now moves on to the next step of the approval process. On Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., my team and I will present the adopted budget to the Board of Finance (BOF). The meeting is held in the Council Chambers in Town Hall. It would be great if you could be present and show your support for the BOE budget. However, I recognize that many of our families are very busy and that this meeting also aligns with parent conferences at the elementary schools. If you are unable to attend, I would encourage you to show your support of the budget by emailing the members of the BOF, Town Council (TC), and First Selectman using the links below. Feel free to use our Budget Infographic located on our website to help share your thoughts.
Board of Finance: pcollier@trumbull-ct.gov
Town Council: CouncilClerk@trumbull-ct.gov
First Selectman firstselectman@trumbull-ct.gov
I was very encouraged today when I saw that our First Selectman, Ms. Tesoro, presented her budget which included a 4% increase for the Board of Education. While this would represent a 1.34% cut to the Board of Education, I appreciate that this is one of the highest increases to the BOE in the past 12 years. It is our hopes that the Board of Finance and Town Council provide at least this much for the BOE.
The BOE met on February 27, 2024 for a Special Meeting. At that meeting, they adopted Monday, June 10, as the Trumbull High School graduation date. More information will be forthcoming about the high school graduation and stepping forth ceremonies at the elementary and middle school. You can rest assured that the June 10 date will not change, even if we lose a day of school for snow.
The March 18th Professional Development day is now a full day of school for students and staff. The Teacher Professional Development day is now Tuesday, April 2. This was changed to accommodate the Presidential Election Primaries. There will be no school for students on April 2. You can find our updated 2023-2024 School Calendar online.
Summer Explorations offers comprehensive and innovative summer academics, enrichment, and sports programming. We will be featuring your children’s favorites as well as some new and exciting camps and programs for 2024! You will be able to view these offerings and register on the Trumbull Continuing Education website www.trumbullconted.org mid-March.