City Democrats peppered Mayor Anthony Staffieri with questions about education funding during a town hall-style meeting at St. Jude Church Tuesday.
Last week, the Board of Education approved a $17.7 million school budget for 2010 – 2011. That is about $850,000 less than what the district had originally requested from the city.
The issue came up Tuesday as the mayor talked about Derby’s solid bond rating, which prompted a resident to point out taxes went up by 1 mill earlier this month.
Staffieri talked about why taxes went up — the new middle school, raises agreed upon by the city in negotiations with unions and “because the Board of Education asked me for more money.”
Derby resident Tara Hyder, a mother, elementary school teacher, and former Derby Board of Education member, was the first in the audience to comment on the issue.
“We can’t say in a negative light the board asked for more money, as if shame on them,” Hyder said.
“Shame on them if they don’t ask for more money because there is nothing more important than educating kids and when they ask for more money, we need to give it.”
Staffieri said it isn’t as simple as just giving the school board all the money they request.
“There are people on fixed incomes, there are a lot of people who are unemployed — the economy stinks and that’s the reason why,” Staffieri said. “I have to listen to everyone; I try to do the balancing act.”
Educators have said the lack of funding will hurt Derby schools.
At a school board meeting last week, high school principal Fran Thompson said the lack of funding will put the school’s accreditation at risk.
This issue was also addressed by resident Dan Sexton, a city Democrat.
“By underfunding programs and by cutting positions, won’t that be affecting our accreditation?” Sexton asked.
Staffieri said the Board of Education never mentioned the topic.
Economic Development
Beside education, economic development was another topic of interest.
Sheila Parizo, chairwoman of the Democratic Town Committee, asked about an increase in empty buildings around the city.
Recent casualties include Tailgators and Staples, both on Route 34.
“What can Derby do? We need to start thinking outside of the box here,” Parizo said. “What can we do to keep these family businesses in Derby? They are paying their taxes in Derby, yet there’s no incentive for them to stay.”
Sheila O’Malley, director of economic and community development, said Derby is not the only city in the state to experience business loss.
“We have the highest utility rate in the country … and we have to compete with big box companies,” she said. “But, Derby is fortunate in that when a small business leaves, I have two or three calls interested because you lack space here in Derby and because you’re in a great location.”
Staffieri and O’Malley also updated the crowd on Derby’s downtown redevelopment zone.
Transfer Station
Several residents had questions about the Derby transfer station and the convoluted series of events that led to its closure.
Staffieri said the city hopes to have a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection in hand by the end of the month to open the transfer station again.
