Mayor Arunan Arulampalam has appointed five new members to the city's Board of Education with backgrounds in finance and policy. The move comes on the heels of weeks of protests and rallies demanding the city provide more funding for schools.
The district faced a $77 million budget deficit earlier this year and cut current spending by $40.9 million, resulting in $32.5 million in relief, to make up the difference, according to budget documents. The $429 million budget was passed unanimously by school board members, who said they had no choice but to move forward with the allocated funds in the face of criticism. The cuts include 387 positions on the chopping block next year.
Arulampalam argued that his appointment to the Hartford School Board is a step forward.
“Hartford's public education system is and will continue to be the foundation for our community's future success, and today is another step in getting our schools back on track,” Arurampalam said. “I would like to thank those who will be leaving the Board of Directors. They have selflessly donated their time and energy to support Hartford schools. , I am confident they will bring fresh energy and diverse perspectives to the important work ahead. I look forward to working with them, other board members, and the city to revitalize public education in Hartford. I look forward to working with all of our leaders.”
Just last week, in an effort to protect jobs and give the district a much-needed boost, the city announced an additional $10.5 million in funding for Hartford schools. $5 million will flow into the district from the state and the remaining $5.5 million will come from the city. Most of the city's funds will be drawn from the district's other post-retirement benefit funds, subject to approval by the Hartford Pension Commission. But questions remain as to whether these funds will be approved and how they will be replenished.
According to information from the Mayor, the new appointees are:
- Jennifer Hockenhull is director of finance for the Adult Congenital Heart Association and previously served as CFO and director of administration, budgets and grants at the University of Hartford.
- Cory Mills, Performance Manager, Hartford Office of the Chief Operating Officer.
- Ruth Fortune, associate attorney at Wiggin and Dana, LLP, specializes in estate planning and asset protection.
- Steven Tatum is a retired educator and former president of the Hartford Federation of Teachers. Tatum is a former English teacher and department chair at Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy and also served as executive committee secretary for the Hartford Federation of Teachers.
- Stephen Wilson is a project manager at Cyient, a technology company specializing in engineering, manufacturing, data analytics, networking, and operations. Wilson is a graduate of the University of Hartford and has experience in project management.
The Hartford Board of Education includes four elected members and five appointed members. The five appointees will replace three council members previously appointed by former Mayor Luke Bronin and two appointed seats that are currently vacant. Chairman Phil Rigel, Vice Chairman AJ Johnson, and Dr. Jim Schmerling will all be replaced. Former BOE commissioners Yvette Bello and Kim Oliver, who resigned from their positions last year, will also be replaced.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to Hartford Board of Education members Phil Rigere, AJ Johnson, and Dr. Jim Schmerling for their many years of service to our students, staff, and community.” said HPS Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres. Rodriguez said in his statement. “During their time on the Board, they have made long-term contributions to the academic, social, and emotional well-being of Hartford Public Schools students.
“Together, we have overcome the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and addressed the systemic challenges young people in our communities face every day. Improving conditions in our schools Their passion and commitment to making a difference in the City of Hartford is evident at each meeting, and I am grateful for their leadership, partnership, and advocacy. I would also like to thank former Mayor Luke Bronin for believing in my abilities,” said Torres-Rodriguez.
“These are difficult times for school districts as we continue to face unsustainable funding structures, community violence, and other persistent inequities in our communities and education systems. I look forward to helping our new members hit the ground running and working together to improve the situation for all of our beautiful and talented students, our school district, and our city.”
Rigel, who was appointed in 2019, said he is honored to serve the city.
“I wasn't surprised by this. It's common for new governments to choose someone to lead and support their own people,” Riguerre said. “I believe the person the mayor has chosen is more than qualified to take on the roles and responsibilities of the position. I am committed to our students, our teachers, and our city. If they want to pick my brain or have me around as an advisor, I'm happy to do that. But I'm telling you, they'll start drinking from the firehouse in no time.”
“Some of the things I'm really proud of are guiding the district through COVID-19, leveraging ESSER funds to accelerate academic recovery, and developing the legislative task force. “I think it's also important to have the courage to make hard choices.'' Rigel said, “I think it's also important to have the courage to make difficult choices.'' I know there are some opinions out there, and I think that's reflected in the idea that there needs to be more community engagement and advocacy around this process.”
AJ Johnson, vice chairman of the board, said he was a little surprised by the announcement.
“It is truly an honor to serve this city as a volunteer,” Johnson said. “The job of a school board is not an easy job, it's a thankless job. There are no easy answers to anything you do, so you have to do it with a lot of heart. We have different challenges than other districts. We have crime, poverty, unequal health outcomes, lack of access to technology. We are the only school district with an in-school dental clinic and food pantry. We can't have a conversation without acknowledging the challenges and uneven outcomes of our students.”
“It takes about a year to really understand what you're doing in this job,” Johnson says. “They all have my support and I'm willing to be there and help in any way I can. This job is bigger than any individual. Our city is suffering right now, We have to do what’s best for the students and residents who live here.”
Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com.