Wallingford Board approves amended 2025–26 school budget with $850,072 in reductions

The Wallingford Board of Education approved an amended 2025–26 district budget on Tuesday, June 3, accepting $850,072 in reductions after a public hearing and a presentation from Superintendent Belizzi.

Board members said the changes preserve student-facing programs while targeting noninstructional costs. The board approved the amended budget by roll-call vote; the motion passed unanimously.

The vote followed a presentation by Superintendent Belizzi summarizing the district's original budget request and the cuts negotiated after the mayor's and town council's recommendations. The district had sought a $4.5 million increase in January (a projected 3.86% overall increase). The mayor recommended $382,900 in reductions and the town council cut another $467,000, producing the $850,072 net reduction and an adjusted increase of about 3.14%.

Belizzi detailed specific reductions and savings: an insurance forecast revision that lowered the district's insurance increase (about $225,000 in savings), the recommended removal of one-time strategic enhancement items ($157,900), and a six-month…