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TOWN OF LEDYARD INFORMATION

Town of Ledyard Website

Vote YES on the Ledyard Budget on May 20

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​FY 2026 Town Council Proposed Budget (Submitted 4.15.2025):
- Board of Education Expenditures, as proposed, increase by 5.99%, or $2,297,419
- General Government Expenditures, as proposed, increase by 4.59%, or $1,334,248
- Total Expenditures, as proposed, are $71,062,240 or 5.39% increase 

Mark Your Calendar: 

Annual Town Meeting: May 19, 2025 – 7:00 PM – Ledyard Middle School & Zoom
Town-Wide Referendum (Vote!): May 20, 2025 – 6 am-8 pm – Town Hall, Lower Level

The Ledyard DTC supports the Town Council's proposed 2025-2026 budget. We encourage all residents to vote in favor of it on May 20th!

Creating our town budget is a long and difficult process, full of hard decisions in a fiscally constrained environment. We thank all in our town who have worked diligently to create a responsible budget that effectively utilizes our taxpayer dollars. We also extend our thanks to the legislators that represent Ledyard's interests at the state level. In particular, Rep. Kevin Ryan and Senator Cathy Osten's unwavering support has been critical to the state grant money that is a key ingredient of this budget. 

Why is it important to VOTE YES and make sure your friends, neighbors, and family others do too?

Turnout for the budget vote is always very low so EVERY VOTE COUNTS!

This is a responsible budget that provides desperately needed investment in our community. 
It includes:
- the support our students need to succeed
- contractually obligated salary increases 
- much needed new pumps for 
The Ledyard Highlands Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF)
- much needed new dispatch systems for our emergency services
- efficient equipment that will save us money for years to come
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And much more!

Budget Documents
  1. FY 2026 Adopted BOE Budget 2025-2-24
  2. FY 2026 Mayors Proposed Budget - 2025-3-3
  3. FY 2026 Town Council Proposed Budget Submitted 4.15.2025

Highlights From the Ledyard Public Hearing Presentations April 21, 2025 (You can watch video from the Hearing on LedyardCT.org):

Board of Education Budget FY 25-26 Presentation

At a recent Ledyard Town Council meeting, Superintendent Hartling presented the proposed Board of Education budget for FY 26.
The proposed 2025-2026 Ledyard Public Schools budget is $40,667,242, reflecting a 5.98% ($2,297,419) increase over the current fiscal year.

From the BOE submitted budget letter:
“This year's budget is built with a focus on preserving essential services, managing contractual obligations, and strategically investing in key priorities that align with our recently adopted District Strategic Plan which are focused on meeting the growing needs of our students, for whom their educational welfare is our top priority as referenced in our Board Bylaws.
  • 70.2% of the proposed increase is tied to maintaining required services, fulfilling contractual agreements (40.9%), and addressing inflationary cost increases (29.3%).
  • 29.1% is allocated for targeted programmatic improvements, including additional resources to enhance instruction and student support services.
  • 4.9% is dedicated to security enhancements, ensuring safe and secure learning environments across all schools.
  • 1.6% reflects state-mandated HVAC services, providing for required inspections/evaluations of these critical systems.
These priorities are partially offset by line-item reductions of 5.9%, reflecting our ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility.”

Email [email protected] or [email protected] to share your input or feedback.

Watch video recordings of the meeting or read minutes at the Ledyard CT Town Meeting Portal. 

More Budget Info at LedyardCT.org.


Budget Documents
  1. FY 2026 Adopted BOE Budget 2025-2-24
  2. FY 2026 Mayors Proposed Budget - 2025-3-3


MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

Public Hearing 
April 21, 2025 - 7:00 PM – Ledyard Middle School & Zoom


Annual Town Meeting 
May 19, 2025 – 7:00 PM – Ledyard Middle School & Zoom


Town-Wide Referendum (VOTE!) 
May 20, 2025 – TBD – Town Hall, Lower Level

Proposed Ledyard BOE Budget

Poll Worker Appreciation Day!

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Serving as a poll worker is one of the most effective ways to support democracy and we need YOUR help at the polls!

Being a poll worker is a valuable opportunity to give back to our community, support our neighbors, and engage in the democratic process. 

To learn more about becoming a Ledyard poll worker: contact the Ledyard Registrar at:
   ️General registrar email: [email protected]
   ️Democratic registrar email: [email protected]
   ️Ledyard registrar phone: (860) 464-3252

Or reach out to Ledyard DTC at [email protected], and we can help get you connected!

Poll working is fun and nonpartisan. Poll workers are essential for keeping polling places open, assisting neighbors in voting, and ensuring every voter has access to the ballot box. 

Poll workers play a crucial role in maintaining accessible in-person voting, especially for communities without reliable mail service, voters with disabilities, those who need language assistance, and anyone preferring to vote in person.

Training will be provided! Learn more about becoming a poll worker today! 

Town of Ledyard General Government & Board of Education 2022-2023 Budget Presentations

Missed the Town Council Budget Presentations? Not to worry! 

Take a look at the powerpoint presentations that were presented: 

Town of Ledyard Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Budget Proposal HERE!

Ledyard Board of Education Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Budget Proposal HERE!
 

DON'T MISS - COMING UP!

Annual Town Meeting for FY 22-23 Information: May 16

Mark your calendars!
Time: May 16, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Ledyard High School Auditorium
Address: 741 Colonel Ledyard Hwy, Ledyard, CT 06339


Referendum Vote on the Town Budget: May 17

Proposed Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget:FY 2022-2023 Capital Requests Breakdown
Proposed FY 22-23 Budget Book
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Quicklook: Ledyard Town Council Meeting 3/23/22

Major Highlights:

Resident Mary Ellen Doblecki encouraged the Council to give commuters on Route 12 incentives to stop and shop by installing charging stations for electric vehicles.  Watch her speak at ledyardct.org (minute 6)

Councilor Mary McGrattan: On Youth & Social Services Commission - “They have a handle on truancy. There are no new cases, and the previous cases have received counseling.”
On Linda Davis Food Pantry - “The food pantry is doing well; it served 88 people in January and 103 in February. They approved an amendment to their by-laws to include an affirmative action statement. Watch more of Councilor McGrattan's statement at: ledyardct.org (Minute 21)

Councilor Naomi Rodriguez reported: 
The Senior Commission: Renter’s Rebate applications for elderly and disable residents are starting April 1 through October 31. Forms are available here on the Town of Ledyard website. 
The mayor also thanked Councilor Rodriguez for a “heck of a job” with a black history month student program. They went to Juliet Long and Gales Ferry school and the students created posters and essays related to black history month. The posters will be hung up in Ledyard town hall.
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Resolution/Votes: 
The Council modified the scope of the town roof project (voted on by the town via Town Meeting on 1/26/2022) to include the following additional work:
-Solar panel removal and possible reinstallation (Town Hall and Bill Library)
-Removal of unused chimney at Bill Library
-Cupola replacement at Town Hall
-Ventilation improvements in the Town Hall attic
-Ceiling repairs at Town Hall

The total cost of these modifications keeps the project under the $295k, which is the amount the Town Meeting voted to authorize. Here is background on the request.

The Council also adopted a resolution "Regarding the town's position against use of racist and discriminatory language and behavior". Here is the adopted resolution.


Additional Highlights:
  • Appointed 2 people to the Planning and Zoning Commission. 1 R and 1 U.
  • Adopted guidelines for conducting Council and Board/Commission/Committee meetings in a remote or hybrid fashion. This is what they agreed on.
  • Adopted policy guidelines for electronic communications by elected officials and appointed volunteers. Here are those guidelines.
  • Authorized the Mayor to submit a $1,000 grant application from Ledyard Youth & Social Services. The grant is for the Youth & Social Services Enrichment Grant Fund. This fund is used to assist Ledyard Social Services clients with full and partial scholarships for Ledyard Parks & Recreation Summer Camp and other recreational activities. Here is some background on the request.
  • Scheduled a Public Hearing for Wednesday, 4/13/2022, at 6:30pm on proposed amendments to Ordinance #300-008 “An Ordinance Establishing Planning & Zoning Fees for Subdivision, New Construction, Alteration, Change of Use and Zoning Permit Applications in the Town of Ledyard”. Here is the draft Ordinance.

WATCH VIDEO OF THE FULL MEETING AT LEDYARDCT.ORG. 

How to Navigate Ledyard's Website to Attend/Watch Town Meetings

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​Ever wondered how to look up what the Town Council is up to? It's really easy!
1. Just go to the town's website (www.ledyardct.org) and click on the "Agendas and Meetings" icon, seen in the image to the left.
2. You'll be taken to a page with a LOT of information on it. Here, you can see a calendar and the meetings that are coming up.
3. Click on the 'Meetings' tab to get more information on each meeting. Every town governing body, except for the Board of Education, has a meeting spot here.
Just pick a date and get started! Let us know if you have questions or if we can help!


Understanding the Proposed FY23 Board of Education Budget

As Ledyard considers the proposed FY23 Board of Education budget, we must ensure that our school funding is sufficient to provide the quality education that our students deserve.
  • Ledyard is #160 out of 166 in per pupil spending in the state. Ledyard spends $15,739 per pupil, which is significantly less than other towns in our area and most towns with similar population/student enrollment.
  • Our college readiness & Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) scores are significantly lower than other districts with similar enrollment but much higher teacher student ratios and per pupil spending (ex. East Lyme, Colchester).
Let's be clear:
  • NO ONE wants an increase in our mil rate; we can and must find solutions that do not increase the burden on our taxpayers. (In 2020, Ledyard was ranked 43rd in CT for our millage rate, with a millage rate of 35.06.) Source: CT Tax Rates and OneandCompany Blog
  • Our teachers go above and beyond. Our town does A LOT with a slim budget.
People move to Ledyard based on the good reputation of our schools. We MUST maintain this excellent reputation or our town, as well as our students, will suffer.

View Superintendent Hartling's presentation and find more information at: 
ledyard.net

Send your input, ideas, questions, and thoughts to: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected].
LINK TO LIST OF ALL BOE MEETINGS LINKS, DATES, MINUTES, AND VIDEOS:
https://sites.google.com/.../meetings-agendas-minutes...


Below images from:
EdSight.ct.gov gives a report card on each district and town in the state. (Look for "Connecticut Report Cards") The latest enrollment data here is for 2020-2021, when Ledyard had 2,358 students overall, with $15,442 spent per pupil. (https://edsight.ct.gov/SASPortal/main.do)
and another great source for information is:

https://oese.ed.gov/ppe/connecticut/
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These images are from Superintendent Hartling's budget presentation (ELA is English Language Arts). Budget FAQs/Budget Proposal and Presentation can be viewed at: www.ledyard.net
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East Lyme info from https://edsight.ct.gov

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