Norwalk schools face $6.7 million shortfall; district to cut central-office and special-education supervisory posts

Norwalk Board of Education Superintendent Alexandra Estrella told the board Tuesday that Norwalk Public Schools still faces roughly a $6.7 million operating shortfall for fiscal year 2026 and outlined additional central‑office reductions and a reorganization of special‑education leadership intended to help close the gap.

“This has not been about mismanagement or spending beyond our needs,” Estrella said, arguing that the district made “intentional investments” to address interrupted learning and student mental‑health needs but now must respond to the expiration of federal COVID relief and rising costs. “We have close to $7,000,000 that we still have to reduce in our budget,” she said.

Why it matters: The district’s operating budget is roughly $233 million as approved earlier this year, Estrella and Chief Financial staff said, and the board must find additional reductions or supplemental revenue before the start of the next fiscal year. Estrella and finance staff said some federal and state grant funding remains uncertain and that the district is pursuing any available supplemental funding…