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Tag: Kristen Dudanowicz

  • What is in Rocky Hill’s Proposed 2026-2027 Board of Education budget?

    What is in Rocky Hill’s Proposed 2026-2027 Board of Education budget?

    Opinion post: this article represents the perspective of the authors.

    Over the past several months, the Board of Education has engaged in a thoughtful, transparent process to develop the FY 2026–2027 education budget. Following multiple public workshops, detailed discussions, and revisions, the Board unanimously adopted a budget of $60,475,193, representing an 8.98% increase over the current year.

    We want to take a moment to share not just what was decided, but how and why.

    This budget was built in public, not behind closed doors. Each public workshop provided an opportunity to examine the details, ask questions, and better understand the factors driving the increase. The final proposal reflects that collaborative process and a shared commitment to making informed, responsible decisions.

    A key part of that transparency is understanding what is actually driving this increase.

    Of the total 8.98% budget increase, approximately 7.73% is tied to salaries, benefits, and transportation. These are costs that are contractual or negotiated and largely outside of the Board’s discretion plus . These are essential obligations required to retain staff, honor agreements, and continue operating our schools day to day.

    That means only 1.25% of the total increase is related to additional investments in programming, services, and supports for students.

    In other words, the vast majority of this increase is not about expanding, it is about sustaining.

    Like districts across Connecticut, we are navigating rising costs in key areas:

    • Contractual salary increases necessary to retain and support educators
    • Health insurance and benefits growth, including a significant increase in group medical insurance of over 17%
    • Transportation costs that continue to climb year over year.
    • Specialized services, including tuition for out-of-district placements

    These are real pressures that impact every school district, regardless of size.

    With this budget, we really wanted to be thoughtful about adding positions that we know are needed. Over the past six years, we’ve lost 11 elementary teaching positions. Some of that is due to a wave of covid retirements, but it’s also the result of years of underfunding that made it difficult to replace those roles. As a result, class sizes have increased, putting additional strain on both students and staff.

    We’ve heard the community concerns around class size, and we have taken steps to address that. We have adopted a policy to lower classroom sizes, which will be phased in starting with kindergarten and working our way up through the grades. As part of that, this budget includes funding for an additional classroom teacher, a paraprofessional, as well as a teacher to better support our ESL students.

    We also heard directly from parents at our January V.O.I.C.E. Committee meeting about the importance of supporting students’ mental health and overall well-being. In response, we’ve included funding for a social worker at both the middle school and high school levels, along with a Special Education supervisor to help strengthen supports for our students who need them most.

We’ve also heard from the community about the disappointment surrounding the removal of World Languages at Moser School as a result of last year’s budget reductions. We want to be clear that we’ve heard that feedback. We are currently in discussions about the best way to reintroduce foreign language instruction and are exploring a range of options, including the possibility of beginning earlier at the elementary level, similar to what some surrounding districts have implemented.

    We are also addressing supervision and administrative needs by eliminating an assistant superintendent position and adding a human resources director and the special education supervisor to cover GMS and RHHS. These changes help us respond to continued changes in our student and staff populations.

    In regards to our school facilities there are many past, current and ongoing projects that need addressing. Each year, the Board makes a request for an investment in our Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for projects such as HVAC at Stevens School, a new roof for West Hill School, GMS renovations, and other facility improvements. These investments allow the Board to keep our school facilities in the condition our students deserve. In the recent past, the Board’s CIP requests have not been met resulting in a shortfall of many millions of dollars. At times our facilities department has had to put “band-aids” on things like a leaky school roof or stretch out a larger project, like HVAC, over many years which has increased the overall cost of the project. A regular, adequate commitment to the CIP is necessary to keep our schools in the condition we all deserve.

    Throughout the budget negotiation process, the Board remained grounded in a few core priorities: supporting student learning, meeting diverse needs, maintaining safe and effective learning environments, and being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.

    Balancing those priorities is not easy. It requires difficult choices and a clear understanding of both our fiscal responsibility and our obligation to students.

    A unanimous vote does not mean every decision was simple. But it does reflect a shared understanding that this budget responsibly meets the needs of our district at this time.

    We also recognize that any increase has a real impact on our community. That is something we take seriously. We are committed to continuing to communicate openly, provide clarity, and ensure that residents understand both the process and the reasoning behind these decisions.

    Our schools are one of our community’s most important investments. This budget is about maintaining a strong district by supporting our staff and students.

This budget has been presented to the Town Council and remains subject to change based on the level of funding ultimately approved. Our schools are a source of pride, and we are committed to making sure they continue to thrive. Despite having one of the lowest per-pupil spending levels in the state, our district is ranked 19th out of 24 in our District Reference Group, showing that we have been careful and responsible with our resources, stretching every dollar to support our students.

    At the same time, this level of underinvestment is not sustainable. Our students and educators deserve smaller class sizes and access to the tools and resources they need to succeed, and it’s on us to make sure they have them.
    We look forward to working together with the Mayor, Town Council, and our community to keep moving this work forward. Our schools are the heartbeat of our community, and how we support them now will shape the opportunities our students have tomorrow.

    We encourage everyone to review the full budget and presentation made to the Town Council and stay engaged.

    From the Democratic Delegation for the Board of Education:

    • Jessica Loffredo, Chair
    • Jennifer Baron-Morfea
    • Tom Cosker
    • Kristen Dudanowicz
    • Maria Mennella

  • Kristen Dudanowicz: Caring about education isn’t enough—Rocky Hill has to act.

    Kristen Dudanowicz: Caring about education isn’t enough—Rocky Hill has to act.

    I’m running for the Rocky Hill Board of Education because I believe our schools are the foundation of our community—and right now, they are under pressure. Families and educators are feeling the impact of budget constraints, infrastructure challenges, and decisions that don’t always reflect what’s best for students.

    First and foremost, we need to fully fund the Board of Education’s recommended budget. When we don’t, we see cuts that directly affect our kids. This year, those cuts meant the elimination of world languages at Moser, the loss of the summer enrichment program, and the merging of elementary special education programs.

    These aren’t just line items in a budget. They are opportunities, supports, and services that shape our children’s learning and development. Research is clear—students who have access to enrichment and world languages in elementary school build stronger foundations for academic success later on.

    We also need to invest in our school buildings and infrastructure. Recently, Rocky Hill had to reallocate insurance dollars just to fix the roof at West Hill. That roof matters—but while we address it, the HVAC improvements at Stevens were once again pushed off. That project has now been delayed multiple years.

    We cannot keep kicking these projects down the road. Students cannot learn and teachers cannot teach in classrooms that are overheated in September and freezing in January. And while we wait, energy costs remain high because we’re relying on outdated window cooling units instead of modern, efficient systems. Fully funding the capital improvement plan isn’t optional—it’s essential if we want safe, healthy, and sustainable learning environments.

    Another pressing issue is class size. Right now, our elementary classrooms are too large, with some sections climbing well into the mid-20s. That’s above both the Connecticut State Department of Education’s guidance and national recommendations, which generally set the ideal range at 15–20 students for early elementary. And it’s certainly above what research shows is most effective for student learning and teacher well-being.

    Smaller class sizes allow for more individualized instruction and reduce teacher stress and burnout. As teachers retire or leave, we must replace them—not leave positions unfilled. Managing class size is one of the most important ways we can meet the needs of all students, especially as we see more children with diverse learning needs in every classroom.

    Finally, I want to address how Rocky Hill invests in its students. Today, we spend just over $20,000 per pupil each year. That’s higher than some nearby towns like Wethersfield and Farmington, but still below the statewide average and behind neighbors like Glastonbury and Newington, which are investing closer to—or above—$21,000 per student.

    Within Hartford County, Rocky Hill sits in the middle of the pack. We’re not at the bottom, but we’re not leading either. And when we look at the big picture—class sizes rising, capital projects delayed, and programs being cut—we have to ask: is “middle of the pack” good enough for Rocky Hill’s kids? I don’t think it is.

    Rocky Hill is a community that cares deeply about its schools. I know that because I see it in our parents, our teachers, and our neighbors every day. But caring isn’t enough—we have to act. That means advocating for budgets that reflect our values, protecting programs that give students a well-rounded education, ensuring our facilities are safe and up-to-date, and keeping class sizes small so every child has the opportunity to thrive.

    I’m ready to bring that fight, and that commitment, to the Board of Education. I ask for your vote on November 4— both for me and all of Row A so that together we can make these plans a reality and ensure Rocky Hill’s schools are strong, now and for the future.

    Opinion piece: This article reflects the position of the author and not necessarily that of the Democratic Town Committee.