On May 23rd, voting for the proposed school budget will take place in Watertown for the 2023-2024 school year. The proposed budget for next year is $53,957,069 with a 7.81% increase from last year’s budget. This increase is part of a 3-5 year plan to reinstate many of the previous cuts in years past and add things to our district such as: more special education teachers and funding for all schools, adding 6th grade World Language classes, update computer labs,  and expanding the pre-school department at John Trumbull Primary School. 

Starting in October of each school year, all of the building principals and leaders work with our Superintendent, Dr. Villanueva, and the district’s Business Manager to go through a process called the ‘Zero Based Budgeting Process.’ Zero Based Budgeting is when every department starts at zero at the start of each year and creates a budget justifying what they need for the following year.

In this next referendum, the community and students over 18 can vote on the proposed budget. If the vote for the budget does not go through, some freshman sports teams would be cut for next year, teaching positions will be cut and many departments will be affected.

It is important for the community to support the school district because “strong schools equals strong communities,” Dr. Villanueva stated. “When a community has a vibrant and beautiful school system where parents know that their kids are receiving a robust and excellent education, where parents know their kids are safe, where parents know that they’re going to graduate and have major opportunities, parents want to move to that town. Not only do parents want to move to that town, businesses start up because they know they have people that are drawn to this place. So when we have strong schools, it naturally grows strong communities.”

It is important to support the school district because of all the opportunities the students, who are the town’s future, can be given with this budget. “Last year we didn’t pass by four votes. Because of four votes we didn’t have our budget go for a second around and got cut half a million dollars.” Dr Villanueva says. Check the town hall for your voting spot and vote on May 23rd, 2023 for the 2023-2024 school budget. For more information, go to watertownps.org and search 23-24 BUDGET INFORMATION.

See Ava in the Town Times! Link