Mayor Nancy R. Rossi this week applauded the operating budget recently adopted by the Board of Education.
The school board’s 2019-20 budget will see an increase of nearly $1.6 million as a result of additional funding provided by the state. Those dollars will provide all students in grades three through eight with a laptop computer.
The state money will also allow for the computer labs in all West Haven public schools to be upgraded. In total, the school board will be buying more than 5,000 devices.
With the West Haven High School renovation project well underway, and with state-of-the-art technology included, every child who enters the school district will be better prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
“I’m extremely pleased that the Board of Education saw fit to invest the majority of its increase into the area of technology,” Rossi said. “It’s critical that any funds dedicated to our school system have a direct impact on student performance. These computer devices will allow our teachers to develop lessons that will excite and engage our students.”
The mayor added, “It’s truly an exciting time for our city and its most important resources, our children.”
Rossi, who made improving West Haven’s finances along with education the pillars of her 2017 campaign, has worked with state leaders, the Board of Education and the state Municipal Accountability Review Board to seek more funding for the school district without having to put any additional burden on city taxpayers.
“I know it hasn’t been easy for those who’ve given so much to our city and in particular its youth, but we are beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel,” Rossi said. “Our financial situation is improving daily, and as a result of the difficult decisions my administration has been forced to make, examples like this will also lead to a better quality of life. There is no better investment I can think of than our children.”
The new computer devices are slated to be in classrooms by the beginning of the new school year, which starts Aug. 27. Work has already begun on the computer lab upgrades.