Mayor Justin Elicker and Schools Superintendent Madeline Negrón announced Monday a $1.35 million proposal to expand the New Haven Public Schools’ in‑house facilities team. The plan calls for 19 new full‑time roles and 20 seasonal positions to manage, maintain, repair, and replace school buildings under a revamped organizational structure.
Funding and Timeline
The mayor has asked the Board of Alders to approve a $1,348,710 budget transfer from the city’s salary reserve for the remainder of the current fiscal year. If the full‑year budget is adopted, the total cost of the new positions would rise to $2,189,000. The salary reserve, originally funded with $6,136,131, is a pool set aside for potential salary adjustments arising from union negotiations.
New Roles and Responsibilities
The proposed staff includes six property managers, 25 groundskeepers (both full‑time and seasonal), several specialized technicians—including two HVAC technicians—and additional managers and administrators. Property managers would each oversee building managers at six or seven schools, allowing for more focused supervision. Currently, all 39 building managers report to a single individual, a structure the mayor and superintendent say hampers efficiency.
“You can’t be an expert in 39 schools. You can be an expert in six to seven of them,” said City Engineer Giovanni Zinn, who helped design the plan. Elicker added that expanding the supervisory layer will create a clearer workflow, stronger accountability, and greater capacity to apply for state and federal grants.
Addressing Long‑Standing Facility Concerns
The district has faced persistent problems such as malfunctioning temperature control, mold, leaks, and pest infestations. Recent roof and HVAC projects at Truman School, Wilbur Cross High School, and Hillhouse High School are part of a broader effort to secure grant funding for repairs at Sound School, Fair Haven School, and Betsy Ross School.
Superintendent Negrón emphasized that the district has been underfunded for decades and that this staffing plan is only the beginning of a larger push to secure the resources needed for sustainable school facilities.
Union and Alders’ Reactions
Board of Alders Education Committee Chair Gary Hogan expressed support for the concept, noting that “it’s gonna take money, staff and materials to get this done.” He praised the collaboration between the city and the school board as a positive step toward addressing the district’s infrastructure gaps.
Superintendent Paul Whyte, who now serves as chief coordinator of facilities concerns, said the district is working on a public dashboard to track work orders at each school, a request previously raised by the Education Committee.
Comparative Funding Context
Elicker highlighted that New Haven spends about $1.70 per square foot on school maintenance, while industry standards range from $3 to $4.50 per square foot. Suburban neighboring districts spend nearly double that amount, underscoring a clear funding disparity that the new staff plan aims to mitigate.
Next Steps
If the Board of Alders approves the budget transfer, the city will need time to work with unions to draft new job descriptions and post the openings. Elicker said the goal is to have some positions operational early next calendar year.
While the staffing expansion is a significant move, the district still faces vacancies among existing building managers—17 of the 39 positions were vacant at the start of the school year. The union contract requires an internal bidding process, meaning the district must first hire “floater” custodians eligible to bid for those openings.
Overall, the proposal reflects a concerted effort by city and school leaders to strengthen the safety, cleanliness, and learning environment of New Haven’s public schools, aligning with the community’s long‑standing call for better facilities and greater accountability.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
