#MiddleburyCT #Region15 #2023_2024Budget
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
Region 15 School Superintendent Joshua Smith on Monday, February 27, presented his proposed 2023-2024 budget to the Board of Education. The superintendent’s budget calls for a nearly 6 percent increase. Middlebury’s share of the budget will increase by 8.67 percent. Southbury’s portion will increase 4.56 percent.
Smith proposed an $82.4 million budget, a 5.95 percent increase, or $4.6 million higher than the current $77.7 million budget. Middlebury’s share of the budget increases to $28.5 million from the current $26.2 million, an increase of $2.3 million, or 8.67%. Southbury’s share of the budget increases to $53.9 million from the current $51.5 million, an increase of $2.3 million, or 4.56 percent.
Smith attributed Middlebury’s higher increase to an increase in the number of Middlebury students coupled with a decrease in the number of Southbury students. As of October 1, 2022, the date used for these purposes, Middlebury had 1,209 students, or 34.6 percent, compared to Southbury’s 2,284 students, or 65.4 percent. For the current budget year, on October 1, 2021, Middlebury had 1,204 students, or 33.74 percent, so its enrollment over the year increased by 5 students. On the same date, Southbury had 2,364 students, or 66.26 percent, so its enrollment over the year decreased by 80 students.
On the Board of Education and at the polls, Middlebury residents have little say in what happens with Region 15 budgets. There are two reasons for this: First, Middlebury’s four representatives on the Board of Education are outnumbered by Southbury’s six representatives. Second, Southbury’s active registered voters outnumber not just Middlebury’s voters but its entire population. As of March 1, Southbury has 14,215 active registered voters, more than Middlebury’s total population of 7,617.
This initial reporting on the 2023-2024 Region 15 budget will be followed by more in-depth reporting.
