Norwich Public Schools Cuts Staff to Meet FY26 Budget Target

Several U.S. cities are grappling with significant budget shortfalls and are considering a range of measures to balance their finances. In Norwich, Connecticut, the school district has reduced its requested budget increase from 4.9% to near the city manager's 1% target, implementing staff cuts and seeking savings in transportation to meet budget constraints while acknowledging that a larger increase may be necessary next year. Los Angeles faces a $1 billion shortfall and plans to lay off over 1,600 employees and eliminate more than 1,000 positions, but experts advocate for a two-year budget cycle and long-term financial planning to better manage future fiscal challenges. In San Diego, residents and city officials are weighing cost-cutting and revenue-raising options, such as reducing police budgets or increasing parking fees, to close a $300 million gap, while some critics urge alternative strategies like modest tax increases and labor cost reforms to avoid painful service cuts. These cases underscore the tension between maintaining essential public services and managing fiscal responsibility amid economic uncertainties.