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Committee reviews proposed FY26 athletic budget additions, notes 2023 stipend increase for high-school coaches
Summary
Athletics staff told the committee that a proposed $90,090 increase in the FY26 athletics budget would fund several new programs — including middle school cheer, unified basketball and high-school unified soccer — and not represent a across-the-board stipend increase.
Committee members reviewed proposed athletics budget changes for fiscal 2026 and discussed coaching stipends and program additions.
Staff reported that a $90,090 increase in the draft FY26 athletics budget is intended to fund additional programs rather than across-the-board stipend raises. Director Telch said the proposed additions include middle school cheer, middle school unified basketball, high school unified soccer, funding for middle-school baseball and softball for participation in Tri-County competition, and wrestling. Committee members asked for a breakdown of the proposed uses of the $90,090 so they could evaluate program costs.
Committee members also discussed coaching pay history. Telch said high-school coach stipends were increased by about 10% in 2023 following a multi-year comparison that showed Manchester near the bottom of neighboring districts' pay scales. "All high school coaches were given a 10% raise in 2023," Telch said; she added that middle-school stipends were not increased at that time. Committee members said they plan to revisit stipend levels in future budget cycles and suggested re-examining pay within five years.
No formal vote was taken on the FY26 budget item at the committee meeting; staff said they would circulate more detailed line-item information on the proposed additions to allow further review.
Committee members requested documentation showing which programs would be added, and how the new positions/stipends would be funded within the district budget process. Staff said they would provide the requested breakdown at a subsequent meeting.
