Newington Board deadlocks over $651,542 in town council cuts; budget shortfall leaves bus replacements uncertain

The Newington Board of Education debated and then deadlocked on how to absorb a $651,542 operating cut imposed by the Newington Town Council for the 2025–26 school year, leaving the district required to identify alternative reductions before July 1.

Board Chair Amy Parratti presented a staff-recommended plan to combine insurance credits, salary breakage savings and use of the district’s non‑lapsing fund to meet the reduction without laying off staff. The motion included Anthem insurance adjustments (a $98,357 reduction and a $86,640 one-time credit), estimated salary savings from new hires, and $366,545 from non‑lapsing funds. The motion was tied 4–4 on a roll-call vote and did not pass.

The deadlock means the district must return with a revised proposal to meet the council’s cut; board members said the amount itself is not negotiable because the council set the overall budget. “We have to hit this number,” Board member Sean Halloran said during discussion, urging urgency…