The Norwalk Board of Education on Wednesday, June 18, approved a reconciled FY26 operating budget that includes an additional $500,000 the city contributed to restore special-education supervisory positions and an itinerant assistant principal for prekindergarten and elementary special education.

The vote came after finance staff walked board members through budget-line reporting that some had read as a 12% increase to the superintendent’s line; staff said that comparison used prior-year original-budget figures and that, on a revised-budget basis, the superintendent’s pay reflects about a 2% variance that accounts for taxes. Linda (finance staff) told the board, “when you compare the revised budget for that line item to her original budget for this year, you won't see a 12% increase. You'll see somewhere along the line of a 2% increase.”

Why it matters: Board members repeatedly pressed for clarity about cuts that would remove student-facing positions. Several members said restoring positions quickly was necessary so teachers and administrators would know by the July 1 legal deadline whether they would keep jobs. Mayor Harry Rilling told the board during the meeting that the city would provide $500,000, saying, “we would provide an extra $500,000 to make sure this happens.” That money, staff said, will allow the district to add two special-education assistant director roles (bringing funded positions closer to six from five) and to create an itinerant assistant principal role focused on early childhood and elementary special-education support funded through IDEA-aligned grant placement.

Details of the agreement and staffing impact: Superintendent Dr. Estrella and staff said the $500,000 would not fully restore the earlier complement of seven special-education administrators without additional reductions elsewhere; staff estimated the district would still be short roughly $250,000–$2,500 (staff provided a figure described in the meeting as needing about $2,500k in additional reductions to reach the original seven). Linda summarized funding dynamics: some positions previously supported by philanthropic partners will continue at a reduced philanthropic level, and moving titles or using grant-eligible job descriptions was discussed as a way to supplant general-fund cuts.

Staff described operational differences between the prior special-education administrator roles and the proposed assistant director roles: assistant directors would be school-facing, assigned a set number of schools, provide professional learning and development, and focus supervisor time on the most challenging PPTs rather than attending all PPTs. Rob (district staff) explained that “the assistant directors and admins would be supporting schools. They would each have x number of schools and support, and they would be providing professional learning to all of the teachers” and that the roles “aren't central office positions. These are positions that would be supporting schools.”

Board members and staff also noted other restorations in the reconciled budget: all elementary school counselors were restored and several music positions were reinstated, actions board members highlighted as important to student mental-health supports and engagement. Board members thanked state and city officials — including a referenced contribution from Senator Duff and the earlier $6,000,000 city infusion — for supplemental funding that reduced the number of planned cuts.

Formal action: Chair called for a motion to approve the FY26 operating budget reconciliation including the $500,000 addition. The board approved the motion; members voted unanimously.

Procedure and next steps: Staff said the district will follow collective-bargaining contract language for any reduction-in-force (RIF) or recall procedures and will work with bargaining groups on implementation after the budget vote. Staff also committed to circulate an updated schedule showing revised-budget columns so comparisons do not create confusion in the future.

Board members who spoke described a difficult budget season and said they would continue to monitor and adjust as needed. Multiple board members emphasized the need for clearer, more frequent budget reporting and promised continued collaboration with unions, city leaders and funders to stabilize student-facing services.