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Author: Rocky Hill Democrats

  • What is the impact of the 25-26 Budget on Rocky Hill’s Schools?

    What is the impact of the 25-26 Budget on Rocky Hill’s Schools?

    Rocky Hill’s new budget was passed last month.The Board of Education proposed a budget of $56,141,771, a 4.87% increase from the previous year largely driven by an increase in salaries within the school system. The Town Council approved a budget of $55,491,771, a relative reduction of $650,000.

    To accommodate this change in funding, the Board of Education had to reduce their planned budget. How were these changes made, and how does that impact our school system?

    The following is based upon a public document produced by the Board of Education.

    Pre-spending on next year’s technology budget

    $160,000 surplus in the current 2024-2025 school year that would have been returned to the Town will now be used in this current school year. This effectively prespends this amount of money thereby reducing the budget by that amount for the 2026-2027 school year. 

    West Hill principal change

    The current principal at West Hill is leaving the school for another position. A more junior person will fill the position. The pay difference is $19,081.

    Superintendent’s executive assistant change

    The executive assistance for the Superintendent of Schools will retire this year. A more junior person will fill the position. The pay difference is $23,355.

    Eliminating an educational specialist position at the high school

    The high school will remove a position with a non-certified staff member that helps students who were behind on credits. Instead certified staff already employed will fill the position. Removing the position will reduce spending by $53,874.

    Cancelling the summer enrichment program

    The Celebration of Learning summer program typically offered by the school system will not be offered this summer. The program includes Math and Reading activities for students Pre-K through Grade 5. Cancelling the program for this summer will reduce spending by $36,000.

    The Extended Service Year program for special education will continue to operate.

    Retiring of a West Hill teacher

    A teacher at West Hill will be retiring, and the position will not be filled.

    The maximum class size for elementary schools in Rocky Hill varies by grade level between 20 and 25. The maximum class size considered acceptable at West Hill is 22. The removal of this position eliminates district flexibility in keeping class sizes down in the elementary schools.

    Leaving the teacher position unfilled reduces spending by $102,442.

    Retiring of a world languages teacher from the high school

    A world languages teacher will retire. The position will be filled by a teacher from Moser school, who will work part time. The difference in spending will be $44,944.

    Stopping world languages program at Moser School

    Moser school has offered French and Spanish classes to 4th and 5th graders. This introductory class will be put on hold for the coming year. The reduction in spending will be $121,344.

    Merging elementary school special education programs

    West Hill and Stevens Schools currently offer a special education program for students with autism and other disabilities in grades K to 3. For the upcoming school year, these programs will be merging for better delivery by one certified staff member and their team. The reduction in spending will be $91,771.

  • Letter from John Larson: Preventing Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid

    Letter from John Larson: Preventing Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid

    From the office of John Larson:

    Dear Friends, 

    Now that House Republicans passed their tax plan – by one vote – it heads to the Senate. I voted NO because it would cut the health care and benefits millions of Americans rely on to pay for tax cuts that largely benefit the wealthy. A new report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that if this bill becomes law, the deficit will go up by $2.4 trillion over the next decade and 16 million Americans would lose their Medicaid or Affordable Care Act coverage.

    As the Senate takes up the bill, they are likely to make changes, which means the House will have to vote again before it can go to President Trump’s desk. Along with cuts to Medicaid, their plan could trigger $500 billion in cuts to Medicare. Senate Republicans are considering additional changes to Medicare coverage and benefits as well. How would you be impacted by cuts to Medicare? I invite you to share your story with me HERE.

    Thank you to everyone who joined me in Berlin, Manchester, West Hartford, and Wethersfield at forums to discuss what this bill would mean for our communities and the path forward in the Senate. I look forward to continuing these conversations on the path forward and my efforts to not cut but strengthen programs like Medicare and Social Security. You can view a recording of my forum in West Hartford below.

    • Connecticut Department of Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves shared with us the impact these cuts would have on our state. She outlined how coverage for dental and vision care, prescription drugs, physical therapy, and cancer treatments could be rolled back for residents with a Husky Health plan if this bill is enacted – the largest cut to Medicaid in the program’s history. 
    • Jennifer Cavallaro, State Operations Director of Mosaic, shared how these cuts would impact residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She said, “The proposed changes would result in longer waiting lists for home and community-based services. We already have more than 3,500 people on a waiting list, often in institutional settings or home with caregivers who really cannot provide the care.” 

    I have heard directly from so many of you about how the Trump Administration’s policies, cuts, and proposals are impacting you or your loved ones. You can read some of these stories HERE and I invite you to share yours HERE. As your representative in Congress, I remain committed to doing everything I can to hold this Administration accountable and defeat their tax plan that is a bad deal for the American people. 

    To follow what I’m working on both in Washington and in Connecticut, visit my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or follow me on Instagram.     

    Regards,
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    John B. Larson
    Member of Congress